King George V Recreation Ground

The King George V Recreation Ground sits just outside Bognor Regis, a proper local nature reserve that doesn't get choked with day-trippers. It's the sort of place where locals actually walk their dogs and birdwatchers know to visit during migration seasons. The wetland habitat here attracts everything from little egrets to various warblers depending on the time of year, and there are decent walking paths threading through reed beds and open grassland.

You're looking at a solid couple of hours here if you're keen on birds or photography. The paths are manageable, though they can get boggy after rain, so sensible footwear matters. Children might find it a bit quiet unless they're genuinely interested in spotting wildlife - it's not a playground sort of place. Families staying at Butlins Bognor Regis or the Rowan Park Caravan Club site nearby would be better off combining this with a beach trip into town rather than making it the main event.

It's free to access, which is refreshing, and there's no entry fee nonsense. Spring and early autumn are your best bets for birdwatching, when passage migrants show up. Winter floods parts of it naturally, which is actually when some species prefer it. If you're basing yourself at one of the caravan parks within striking distance - Haven Church Farm or Chichester Lakeside are both close - it makes a solid morning outing before heading elsewhere. Worth a detour if you care about that sort of thing, but don't expect fireworks.