Eastbourne Borough Football Club

The grounds at Eastbourne Borough Football Club aren't what most people expect when they hear 'nature reserve', but that's rather the point. This working football club near Pevensey has managed to carve out a genuine wildlife space alongside the pitches - a proper example of how sport and conservation can coexist without too much fuss.

What you're actually looking at is habitat that's been left to do its thing: rough grassland, scrubby bits, and enough quiet corners to attract nesting birds and small mammals. It's not a destination you'd trek across Sussex for specifically, but if you're staying at Pevensey Bay Holiday Park just down the road, it makes for a pleasant morning walk without the crowds you'd get at Warren Wood Country Park further out.

The appeal is modest and honest. Birdwatchers will find it worthwhile during migration season. Families won't get bored for long - it's a working club, so there's usually activity around, and kids often find that more interesting than pristine nature reserves anyway. The walking is flat and undemanding, which suits folk who don't want a proper hike.

Access details are a bit vague - you'd need to contact the club directly about visiting times and whether there's any charge. Early mornings are obviously your best bet for spotting anything. It's the sort of place that rewards a quick visit rather than a long stay, and works well as a between-activities stop when you're based nearby at Normans Bay or one of the other local caravan sites.