Amberley Wild Brooks

You'll find yourself on a proper Sussex gem about four miles south of Pulborough - Amberley Wild Brooks is one of those rare wetland reserves that actually feels wild rather than manicured. It's a sprawl of meadows and ditches that floods seasonally, creating habitat for wetland birds, insects, and plants that you won't see in your back garden. The walking is straightforward; you can ramble across open grassland following informal paths, binoculars in hand, spotting lapwings and snipe depending on the season.

This is squarely for birdwatchers and nature types rather than young kids craving entertainment - expect at least two hours if you're serious about it, though you can do a quick 45-minute loop if time's tight. Spring and autumn bring the best migrants; winter's solid too if you don't mind the cold and wet. Summer's a bit quieter for birds but lovely for wildflowers.

Bringing a telescope or decent binoculars is essential - distance is part of the experience here. There's no admission charge or formal facilities, which keeps it feeling genuinely wild. It pairs brilliantly with a stay at one of the nearby camping spots - Wakestone & Wild Glamping is closest at 4.4 miles, or Washington Caravan Park if you want something more conventional. You could easily combine this with walking the South Downs Way, which runs nearby, or exploring the river valleys around Pulborough. Not Instagram-friendly, but genuinely rewarding if you've got patience and an interest in what actually lives out there.