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The South Downs is a natural habitat for many different orchids

Cowslips are an unofficial symbol of the Downs

In West Sussex and the Hampshire Downs beechwood ‘hangers’ characterise the steep flanks and continue onto the escarpment. But the beech is not the only tree to flourish here, for oak, ash and yew are also common – the ancient yews at Kingley Vale, northwest of Chichester, are thought to be among Britain’s oldest living plants and are well worth a visit.

In springtime the cowslip (Primula veris) makes its appearance on open downland, and on a few select slopes overlooking the Weald it spreads a great carpet of yellow in April and May. Almost ubiquitous on the South Downs, with some justification the cowslip could be taken as its symbol, for the collection of lightly scented, tube-shaped flowers opening to a cupped ‘face’ are among the natural gems of the National Park – a single stem can host literally dozens of individual flower heads.

At the same time the common bluebell (Hyacinthoides nonscripta) drifts across steep banks where there’s ample shade, and fills acres of broadleaved woodland with its brilliant colouring, sometimes interspersed with greater stitchwort (Stellaria holostea) or red campion (Silene dioica). In those same woodlands, wood sorrel (Oxalis acetosella) also comes into flower in April and May.