The northern part was formerly farmed as low-intensity grazing, but was purchased by HIWWT following a public appeal, with assistance from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The site lies within the western end of the Countryside Agency's plan for a South Downs National Park.

[2] Habitats on the site include chalk stream, tall fen, hay meadow and wet pasture.

Plant life includes green-flowered helleborine, water crowfoot, lesser water-parsnip, purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), yellow flag (Iris pseudacorus), various sedges, common reed, reed canary grass, fleabane, meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria), fen bedstraw, southern marsh-orchid, yellow rattle and eyebright.

Birds include little grebe, mute swan and mallard, reed and sedge warblers, gadwall, wigeon and snipe.