ABSTRACT
The High Weald is an undulating, scarp and vale lowland landscape in southeast England. It was formed by an uplifting of the underlying rocks, the Wealden anticline, some 65 million years ago. Sandstones and clays are exposed in concentric bands resulting in rolling ridges and deeply incised valleys which are covered by a woodland mosaic, the remnant of a great oak forest which historically covered the area. The High Weald covers an area of 1450 km2 and has a distinct topographic boundary as it is surrounded by the claylands of the low Weald which in turn are rimmed by the narrow ridge of chalk which forms the North and South Downs. The mean altitude is 73m above sea level and the mean annual rainfall is 821mm – slightly less than the mean for England of 836 mm. To the south the High Weald ends abruptly at the spectacular slumped sea cliffs whose gorse cover gives them the name of Fire Hills – from here the coast of France is often clearly visible.
