WWT Arundel

Wetland birds and wildflowers fill the 65 acres of WWT Arundel, a working wetland reserve that sits just outside the market town. You'll spot everything from pintails and shovelers to visiting warblers depending on the season - bring binoculars and expect to spend a good two to three hours wandering the hides and pathways if you're serious about birdwatching.

The reserve isn't fancy. It's functional, purposeful even - you're here to see how wetlands work and what lives in them, not for Instagram moments. Families with kids under ten sometimes find the walking a bit much without spotting something exciting every five minutes, but older children who can sit still in a hide for twenty minutes will genuinely get something from it. Keen ornithologists will love it year-round; spring and autumn migrations are your best bet for variety.

Admission is charged, though rates vary by membership status. Allow a proper couple of hours minimum if you're coming from South Downs Caravan Park - it's barely half a mile away - and at least an hour if you're just passing through. The site gets muddy after rain, so wellies aren't optional in winter. It's a solid half-day activity that pairs well with a visit to Arundel Castle and town itself, rather than a full day's focus. Go early if you can; the light's better and you'll have the hides to yourself before the crowds arrive.