Pulborough Brooks Nature Reserve, West Sussex

About

Head to the Arun Valley in West Sussex and you'll find our Pulborough Brooks. With beautiful views across to the South Downs, this reserve is set in one of the richest areas for nature in the country. Our family-friendly nature reserve is home to some wonderful wildlife, with fun trails to explore.

Experience the magic of a springtime walk where you'll be serenaded by a choir of warblers and our virtuoso performer the Nightingale. Meanwhile on the wetlands Lapwings will be displaying acrobatically in the air.

Head to the ponds and ditches in search of dragons and damsels in summer – we're one of the top sites for dragonflies and you can hear the clash of wings as these fearsome predators do battle over the prime perches. Visit at dusk in June and July for a night-time safari where mysterious Nightjars chur on the heath, bats zoom above your head and you can spot twinkling Glow-worms in the undergrowth.

The woodlands turn golden in autumn and you can discover a rainbow of fungi by following our trail around the wooded heath. Head down to Hanger View in winter – one minute, all is calm with the Wigeon gently whistling as they graze, then chaos ensues as thousands of birds take to the air in panic – it must be the Peregrine Falcon out hunting.

The RSPB also looks after nearby Amberley Wildbrooks that forms part of the Arun Valley Special Protection Area (SPA), and is home to wintering wildfowl, such as Wigeon and Teal. Please note, the site is not easily accessible, with no parking available or facilities. Public footpaths only.

At a glance

5 Blue Badge spaces - Blue Badge parking outside visitor centre with Tarmac surface.

Loose gravel surface in main car park.

No steps between the car park and the visitor centre.

No lighting in overflow car park.

Drop-off point outside the Visitor Centre.

No overnight parking or camping.

Bicycle racks available.

Our toilets are open daily, 10am -4 pm. The toilets have non-slip tile flooring

Our baby changing facilities are open daily, 10am - 4pm.

Wetland Trail is suitable for pushchairs

The wooded heathland trail is not suitable for pushchairs.

Wetland Trail: manual wheelchairs would require a very strong helper. Two self-drive tramper mobility scooters are available to hire - these can access the full wetland trail and viewpoints but must be parked outside of the hides. These should be booked in advance to ensure availability and are available during visitor centre opening hours only (usually 10am -4pm). To book a tramper email us at [email protected] or call us on 01798 875851

The wooded heathland trail is not suitable for our mobility scooters.

There is step-free level access to the cafe. Outside seating with wheelchair spaces available under the covered area. Picnic tables with space for wheelchair users.

If you would like a digital copy of our accessibility guide please contact us by email [email protected] or call us on 01798 875851. Sorry, we cannot currently link to this on the website.

Our toilets are open daily, 10am - 4pm.

BBQs are a fire risk, endangering other people and the precious wildlife and habitats here. They are not permitted on the reserve at any time.

Dogs are welcome, on a lead, on parts of the Wooded Heathland Trail and on the public footpaths and bridleways around the nature reserve.

Dogs are not allowed on the Wetland nature trail or into the hides.

Dog walkers are also very welcome to bring their dogs onto the tea terrace adjacent to the café. Dog water bowls are available in the Visitor Centre courtyard.

There are dog waste bins on the edge of the car park.

Please keep to the designated rights of way only.

Assistance dogs are welcome in all parts of the reserve.

See what’s here

Recent sightings at Pulborough Brooks

Check out which species we've seen at Pulborough Brooks this week