Sandgate Park

The South Downs around Pulborough hide some proper walking territory, and Sandgate Park is one of those spots that rewards a morning off the main trails. It's a nature reserve rather than a manicured country park - expect wild margins, birch scrub, and the kind of quiet that makes you realise how little of Sussex actually feels empty anymore.

You're here for two things: birds and plants. Depending on season, you might clock nightingales, woodpeckers, or if you're lucky enough and patient enough, something rarer. The reserve management keeps things deliberately rough around the edges, which means in spring the wildflowers can be genuinely good. Bring binoculars and a notebook if that's your thing; bring trainers that don't mind mud if it's not.

This works best for serious walkers and birdwatchers willing to spend two to three hours poking about. Kids might get bored if they're after playgrounds and ice cream vans - it's not that sort of place. Access is free and there's no time limit, though I'd avoid peak holiday periods when the surrounding parks pull in day-trippers.

Staying around here, Washington Caravan & Camping Park sits just 1.6 miles away, handy for a base. It's close enough to Pulborough that you can grab supplies, but far enough that Sandgate feels properly detached. If you're doing a camping holiday in the area, combine this with walks along the Arun Valley trails - you'll get a proper feel for the landscape rather than just ticking boxes.