Places to Visit

Drawn to Water: Quentin Blake at WWT this summer at Arundel Wetland Centre

Kings Road Playground & Paddling Pool Brighton, west of the West Pier, mushroom spout, water pads, castles & toys, plus sand.

Living Coast cycle route, ideas of bike ride (easy to hard) along the rich landscape, wildlife & heritage of the Living Coast.

Peacehaven Big Park, BN10 8RH. Skate park, playgrounds, climbing wall, café, links to the South Downs.

Explore the wonder of wetlands and nature through the eyes of the UK’s best loved illustrator and join us for this unique ‘Drawn to Water: Quentin Blake at WWT’ experience. Discover the very best of the wonderful wetlands, get closer to nature and explore what it means to you with illustrated seasonal trails, competitions and much more! It’s a full day out for everyone.

Ardingly Reservoir nr Haywards

Heath. Walks & limited cycling, watersports.

Ashdown Forest Centre Wych

Cross, RH18 5JP. Once a Norman deer hunting forest, now free public access space & the ‘home’ of Winnie the Pooh

Beachy Head Countryside & Visitor Centre walks, shop & breath-taking views.

Bedgebury Pinetum Goudhurst TN17 2SJ. 2,000-acre forest with numerous walks, cycling trails, mountain bike & dirt jump area, adventure play trail, cafe.

Bewl Water Lamberhurst TN3 8JH.

Walks, aqua park, cycling, bike hire, fishing, boat trips, playground.

Boating from The Anchor Inn*, Barcombe, Lewes BN8 5EA. Rowing boat or pedalo hourly hire for up to 6 people, 01273 400414

Borde Hill Garden Haywards

Heath RH16 1XP, 17-acre garden, woodland walks, playground, zip wire & holiday themed family trails.

Coombes Farm Maize Maze nr

Lancing BN15 0RS. Throughout August, check website for dates (see advert)

Cuckmere Valley & Seven Sisters

Country Park, between Seaford & East Dean. Chalk cliffs, stunning views on the Seven Sisters & the river valley, rock pooling, cycling to the beach, canoeing on the meanders. From there walk to or visit Burling Gap

Devil’s Dyke, Poynings BN1 8YJ. Longest, deepest & widest ‘dry valley’ in the UK.

Ditchling Beacon, 2nd highest point in the South Downs NP, great views across the Weald. Friston Forest Exceat, walks, cycling, mountain biking, picnic tables, BBQs & children’s play area.

Hove Lagoon & paddling pool, enclosed playground located on the seafront, Big Beach Café, skate park & picnic tables.

Hove Park almost 40 acres of open grass, mature trees & recreational facilities, playground, climbing rock, trim trail, café & seasonal miniature Hove Park Railway

Peter Pan Park, Madeira Drive, Brighton BN2 1EN. Playground with water spouts, open-air café, stop on the Volks Electric Railway

Preston Park Brighton BN1 6HN. Largest urban park in the city, playground & cycle velodrome, large rockery, walled garden & two cafés.

Queens Park Brighton BN2 0QU. Wildlife garden, grade II listed clock tower built in 1915, playground, tennis courts, café.

Railway Land Nature Reserve

Lewes BN7 2FG. Meadowland & woodland reclaimed from the old rail yards, accessible by wheelchair & Linklater Pavilion.

Rye Harbour Nature Reserve TN31 7TX. Explore the saltmarsh on a guided walk & Discovery Centre.

Saunders Park & Paddling Pool

Lewes Road, BN2 4AE. Play area.

Seaford Head Local Nature Reserve BN25 4JQ. Downland, cliffs, grassland & shingle beach, views of the Seven Sisters & Cuckmere Valley.

Stanmer Park, Falmer. Park, walks, football pitches, village, home to Earthship Brighton & One Garden

St Ann’s Well Gardens nr Hove seafront. Scented garden for the visually impaired, pond, playground, tennis courts & the Garden Cafe

Tilgate Park Crawley RH10 5PQ. Outdoor play area, hedge maze, cafe, woodland & lakeside walks & Tilgate Nature Centre (zoo).

Undercliff Walk just over 5km from Brighton Marina to Saltdean.

Wey & Arun Canal, Loxwood RH14 0RD. Canoes, kayaks, SUPs & small craft, circular walks.

Woods Mill Nature Reserve

Henfield BN5 9SD. Sussex Wildlife Trust HQ, nature reserve, woodland, meadows & reed-fringed lake, free.

BACK-TO-NATURE CAMPSITES

Blackberry Wood Camping, Ditchling BN6 8RS, own pitch or glamping, treehouses, 01273 890 035

Boathouse Farm Camping, Uckfield TN22 5TY, working organic farm, grass pitch camping, next to the river Ouse, contact via FB

Bramley Park Camping, Polegate BN26 5PH, camping & glamping at the foot of the South Downs NP, 07763 832525

Collect an illustrated trail map complete with Quentin Blake’s drawings and see wetlands in a whole new light. This summer there’s a range of art and illustration activities to inspire all ages and abilities. Drop into Birds of a Feather Create together Mon-Fri for artful activities like Mud Painting, Making a viewfinder and Pine Cone animals. On weekends book a “Lets Draw Outdoors” workshop. The Wetland Boat Safari and family Pond Dipping session run daily, too.

You can also get creative with a range of artistic challenges and competitions to be in with a chance to win some special Quentin Blake prizes. To find out more and book online search WWT Arundel or visit wwt.org.uk/Arundel/quentin-blake

Chalky Downs Campsite, Bevendean Farm BN2 6AF, stunning views over the South Downs, 01273 673004

Cuckoo Camp, Church Farm, Littlehampton BN17 5RR. Along the river Arun, close to Climping beach, dog friendly, 07759 172021

Foxwood Camping, Patching

BN13 3UL nr Worthing, woodland camping with your own fire pit, holidays & weekend, 07983 151780

Heaven Farm, Uckfield TN22 3RG, camp in the beautiful Sussex countryside, 01825 790226

Hook Farm Campsite, West Hoathly RH19 4PT. Beautiful views of the Sussex Weald, 01342 811113

Housedean Farm Campsite, between Lewes & Brighton

BN7 3JW, on a working farm within the South Downs NP, tent pitches, glamping & campfire, 07919 668816

Lewes Wild Willows Camping, Lower Stoneham Farm, Lewes

BN8 5RJ, family friendly campsite on the river Ouse, 07534 253846

New Wharf, Steying BN44 3AL, family run campsite & farm with private access to the river Adur. Pitches & glamping, 07830 659903

Pegs & Pitches Beech Estate Campsite, nr Battle TN33 9QU, camping & glamping, 01273 980218

The Earth Camp Chailey, familyrun,10 min from Lewes, therapy tent with massages and Reiki sessions, outdoor yoga class on Sat am, 07889 052 334

The Mac’s Farm Campsite, Ditchling BN6 8GT, on a working organic egg farm, camping & glamping, 01273 845189

The Secret Campsite, Brickyard Farm, Barcombe BN8 4TD, camping & glamping, 01273 401100

Wild Combe Camping, Elsted, Midhurst GU29 0JY, surrounded by beautiful countryside and access to reservoir for swimming, kayaking & SUP, 07775 568415

Wowo, Sheffield Park, Uckfield TN22, camping, shepherd’s huts & Mongolian yurts, 01825 723414

ANIMALS, SEALIFE & NATURE

WWT Arundel Wetland Centre BN18 9PB, nature reserve with guided boat safari, adventure playground, children’s weekend & holiday activities, visitor centre & café, 01903 883355 (see box above & advert p.21)

Blackberry Farm near Lewes BN8 6JD. Home to over 200 friendly animals, outdoor play area.

Brighton Sea Life Centre Marine Parade. The world’s oldest operating aquarium with over 1,500 creatures.

British Wildlife Centre Surrey RH7 6LF. Over 40 British animals incl. red squirrel, otters, foxes, deer. Butterfly Gardens at Middleton Common Farm, Ditchling. Free flying butterflies from all over the world.

Drusillas Park off the A27, BN26 5QS. Zoo, adventure playgrounds, ride, restaurants, cafes & splash park.

Knockhatch Adventure Park Hailsham BN27 3GD. Animals, falconry, soft play’, outdoor playgrounds, paddling pools & more.

Pulborough Brooks (RSPB) RH20 2EL. Arun Valley nature reserve, nature-themed activities guided walks, café & shop, pushchairs & wheelchairs friendly.