Chantry Mill

Site of Special Scientific Interest · 50.9137, -0.4443

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Also within

West Sussex County SOUTH DOWNS National Park

Condition (Natural England)

Favourable (1)
UnitFeatureConditionArea (ha)Assessed
TQ094138 — Favourable 8.7 2023-02-03

Geology & landscape

Geological Period: Cretaceous

Description

Area, 8.6 ha. 21.3 ac. Description Chantry Mill provides the best available exposure of the unusual 'iron grit' horizon which characterises the Gault/ Folkestone Beds junction in this part of Sussex and which contrasts strongly with the type of transition seen between these formations elsewhere in south east England. The 'iron grit' represents a condensed deposit associated with prolonged non deposition over a structural axis, probably the northern margin of the major Portsdown Axis, which separated the Vectian and Wealden provinces in the Lower Cretaceous.