| Clapham Wood | |
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 Interactive map of Clapham Wood | |
| Location | West Sussex,England |
| Coordinates | 50°51′12″N0°26′26″W / 50.8533°N 0.4405°W /50.8533; -0.4405 |
Clapham Wood is a woodland area in theSouth Downs National Park near the village ofClapham,West Sussex,England. It is a designatedSite of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI) composed of ancient, semi-natural woodland with rich flora and fauna.[1] It is a popular location for walkers in easy reach from nearbyDurrington andWorthing and is well provided with wide paths through the mixed andcoppiced woodland. The southern parts of the woodland are popular in the spring, with extensive carpets of bluebells growing close to the paths.[2] There are views of the English Channel to the south, and of thedry valley Long Furlong, with Blackpatch Hill andlong barrows beyond, to the north.
The Clapham Woods SNCI has been made a designated site within the Clapham to Burpham Downs Biodiversity Opportunity Area (BOA) by the Sussex Biodiversity Partnership. The ancient woodlands are situated on downlands geology and there are areas of lowland calcareous grassland within and around the woods. The wood has a wide range of plants includingSanicle, Wild Strawberry,Early Purple Orchid and the locally rareTuberous Comfrey. There is atree preservation order covering the whole of the wood.[1]
Myths and rumors about Clapham Wood began in 1975 whenparanormal enthusiasts capitalized on local reports of dogs lost in the area by claiming that "mysterious forces" were present in the Wood. They promoted claims thataliens pilotingUFOs had captured the dogs, and later that a localwitch was responsible. Proliferation of such rumors gave residents a dislike for the area and attracted outsiders seeking "psychic adventures".[3] Bodies found in Clapham Wood over the same decade also led to unsubstantiated claims of paranormal experiences and UFO sightings.[4]