Wild, wet and wonderful

Flocks of birds, rare butterflies, mysterious landscapes and a wealth of wildlife… right on your doorstep.

You can find out more about the county’s wetlands and parks by phoning 01273 481441 or visit our section on conservation and wildlife.

Ouse Estuary, Newhaven

The site: A new nature reserve, running beside Newhaven port.
Fact: The busiest new cycle route in the UK, according to national cycle organisation SUSTRANS.
What you might see: Habitat for lapwings, a nationally declining breeding bird.
Getting about: Level, surfaced paths through the reserve, good for wheelchairs.

Seven Sisters Country Park, Seaford

The site: Meandering river, chalk cliffs and a visitor centre.
Fact: Often filmed – featured in the latest Harry Potter film and often stands in for the White Cliffs of Dover (as they are no longer white).
Look out for: Lots of wildlife, including the beautiful chalkhill blue butterfly.
Getting about: Level, surfaced path along valley bottom, good for wheelchairs. Bikes for disabled people can be hired at the park.

Shinewater Park, Eastbourne

The site: New park on national cycle route and linked to the Paris-London Avenue Verte, or Greenway.
Fact: Has an off-road path to internationally important wildlife at Pevensey Levels.
Look out for: Nationally rare reedbeds are being created to encourage birds such as the reed bunting.
Getting about: Level, surfaced paths throughout the park, good for wheelchairs and bikes.

Countryside park and nature reserve, Pebsham

The site: New park and nature reserve under development between Bexhill and Hastings.
Feature: ‘Hidden World’ boardwalk through Filsham reedbeds.
Look out for: Water-meadows with rare water violets.
Getting about: Most access is by signposted but unsurfaced public footpaths.

Rye Harbour Nature Reserve

The site: Internationally important site, voted one of the top-10 bird-watching sites in UK.
Feature: Camber Castle, Henry VIII’s seaside fortress, now stranded inland.
Look out for: New reedbeds, which are attracting the rare ‘booming’ bittern.
Getting about: Level surfaced private road and wheelchair-accessible hides and paths.