RSPB Pulborough Brooks

The reserve sprawls across 320 acres of wetland and woodland just outside Pulborough, and it's genuinely one of the best places in Sussex to spot birds without needing binoculars or specialist knowledge. You walk the network of trails - some flat, some with gentle climbs - and stop at hides overlooking the brooks and reed beds where curlews, lapwings, and in winter, occasional raptors turn up.

It works best if you're already keen on birds or fancy an excuse to slow down. The walk itself is pleasant enough, though the South Downs looming nearby do the dramatic landscape work - the reserve itself is more understated than showy. Allow two to three hours to do it properly; rush through in forty minutes and you'll miss the point entirely.

Bring a notebook or camera if you're the type. The RSPB staff know their stuff and the visitor centre is decent without being fancy. It's free to enter, which is proper value for what you get.

Works brilliantly as a morning out between camping stops. Cattlestone Farm and Washington Caravan Park sit only a few miles down the road, so you can roll out of the tent, do the brooks, then crack on to another spot. Winter's your best bet for variety - autumn and spring bring migration booms too. High summer can feel a bit quiet unless you're specifically after breeding species. The terrain suits most walkers, though it's boggy after rain so waterproof boots aren't optional.