How many nature reserves can you visit this year? | Rye Harbour Nature Reserve

How many nature reserves can you visit this year?

Monday, 5th January 2026

How many nature reserves can you visit this year?
Map © Kai Hilton

This year, why not set yourself a challenge and see how many Sussex Wildlife Trust nature reserves you can visit?

Our nature reserves showcase the very best of Sussex's landscapes – coastal, woodland, downland and wetland – and they're all yours to explore for free.

Fancy holing up in hides to witness masses of wetland winter waders? Spend a day at Rye Harbour, where the shingle beach and lagoons come alive with birdlife.

If ancient woodland and autumn fungi hunting are more your thing, Ebernoe Wildlands has you covered. Wander beneath centuries-old trees and discover an extraordinary array of toadstools and brackets.

Or how about a spring stomp across the South Downs amid pollinator-dotted chalk grassland? Head to Malling Down and Southerham, where wildflowers paint the slopes and butterflies dance in the sunshine.

All of our reserves span East and West Sussex, offering something special in every season. Download a copy of our reserves map, pack your boots, and start ticking them off as you visit.

Find a Sussex Wildlife Trust nature reserve near you.

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This post is also available on Sussex Wildlife Trust website

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