From the best places to spot incredible Sussex wildlife to the finest local wines, it’s the ultimate nature and nurture experience.
Sussex is famous for a few things: the South Downs, its Norman castles and its coast. But in recent years, it’s also achieved a stellar reputation for both its wine and its wildlife.
The county has multiple nature reserves and conservation areas including over 30 which are managed by Sussex Wildlife Trust as well as six RSPB managed sites. It also has some significant rewilding projects and is home to deer parks and wild deer, birds of prey, badgers, foxes, wallabies (yes, you read that correctly), beavers, hedgehogs, seals, dolphins and even the occasional whale.
The landscape in Sussex has always been diverse, and now with over 130 vineyards, in 2022, Sussex wine gained Protected Designation Origin for its wine. The county is predominantly known for its sparkling wine made from the magic combination of Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier and Chardonnay grapes but is now also producing a number of first rate still white and red wines.
Why wildlife and wine?
A self-guided safari is a great way to explore the well beaten and the less well beaten tracks of Sussex and gain a closer understanding of our Sussex habitat, landscape and some of the wonderful creatures that we share it with.
After time spent on the wild side, what better way to complete a Sussex wildlife tour than by sampling some of the true flavours of Sussex; by tasting local wines and learning more about how the notes and flavours are influenced by the Sussex countryside. Many Sussex vineyards are now award winning and across the county, you can enjoy an array of different wine and vineyard experiences.
West Sussex
Let’s start by heading west.
Petworth Park
Start your wildlife and wine safari in Petworth. You’d be unlucky not to see deer in this 700-acre deer park. It’s free to visit and the fallow deer have called Petworth Park home for over 500 years. There are also some interesting and ancient trees in the park (there’s even a tree trail), and you are also likely to see geese, birds of prey and over 100 other species of birds. There is a 5 km circular trail (details on the National Trust website) or you can just meander. Look out for the lake once painted by Turner and if you have the time, a visit to the National Trust stately home here is a must.
Wines amongst the vines
There are a number of vineyards just outside Petworth, namely Upperton, Roebuck, Stopham and Cradlers Barn. Roebuck produces vintage sparkling wines from their vines which are found across the county. You can sip in amongst the vines with views of the South Downs. Upperton grows a classic mixture of Chardonnay, Pinot Meunier and Pinot Noir. You can enjoy an Upperton sparkling wine served by the glass or bottle or local beer in their terrace bar. The Stopham estae has an incredible history and now produces still and sparkling wines.
Knepp Estate
From Petworth, head north east to the Knepp Estate just outside Horsham. Famous for its Rewilding Project, there are three walks of varying lengths you can do across the estate. Wildlife you can expect to see includes their famous storks, wild deer, Tamworth pigs and Exmoor ponies. You would be unlucky to see nothing. They also offer a variety of guided safaris which includes everything from insect life to bats.
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Wine and dine
The Knepp Estate has its own Knepp Wilding Kitchen open every day (check opening times). Here you can sample local produce like the Knepp charcuterie. They have an extensive wine menu although as their emphasis is on sustainable wines, the Sussex wine is limited to the local Wiston Estate wine. That said, this is a fantastic wine and well worth a try.
RSPB Pulborough and Amberley Brooks
Just north of the South Downs, these two nature reserves are not only a haven for birdlife but are also home to wild deer, dragonflies, crickets, bats and more. If it’s birds you’re looking for, you may spot nightingale, lapwings, nightjars, wigeon, teal, and even the famous white-tailed eagles. Head down to Houghton and watch carefully for a couple of seals that are often seen in the river Arun. There are footpaths around and across both Pulborough and Amberley Brooks and a good place to start is the Visitor Centre just outside Pulborough.
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Windmills and wine
A little north of Pulborough is Nutbourne Vineyard, a family run vineyard. Here you’ll find wildflower meadows, lakes, a windmill and stunning views. They also have alpacas and a vineyard trail. Their cellar door is open throughout the year, with the option of guided tours and tastings.
East Sussex
East Sussex is equally rich in wildlife and wine.
Ashdown Forest
Ashdown Forest is a large area of ancient heath and woodland. It is home to a diverse range of wildlife from wild deer and Highland cattle, to plentiful birdlife and butterflies. If you are prepared to sit and wait quietly, you might also be lucky enough to see foxes, rabbits, stoats, weasels, shrews, bats and badgers. You might even see a small bear (named Pooh). There are lots of footpaths across the forest, with ten walks of 2-3 miles and a 14-mile circular route which visits the iconic Scots Pine clumps across the Forest, details of which are on the Ashdown Forest website.
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Wines in the vines
Bluebell Vineyard is a small vineyard producing exceptional local wines on the edge of Ashdown Forest. They offer a variety of vineyard and winery tours and tastings. You can also wander through the vineyard and walk their woodland trail or enjoy the spectacular views of the vineyard and waters from the terraced seating area.
Broadwater Warren
Set in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty near to Royal Tunbridge Wells, this heathland and native woodland area is managed by the RSPB. As you’d expect, you should find birdlife a plenty, including threatened bird species like woodlark, Dartford warblers, woodlark and lesser spotted woodpeckers and nightjar along with adders, bumblebees, dragonflies and butterflies. If you are lucky, you may also spot kingfisher and dormouse. You can download a map of their walking trail from their website.
Wine and dine
Birchden Vineyards is just outside Groombridge, East Sussex. It’s a family-run, 23-acre working farm where they produce wines, honey and apple juice. Apart from the vines, there are lakes and wildflower meadow as a well as a Tasting Den. With covered outdoor seating you can tuck into locally-sourced charcuterie board filled with local cheeses and meats from Weald smokery and homemade hummus.
Dallington Forest
This 40-acre forest is a biological Site of Special Scientific Interest. Here you will see a variety of plant life and look out for horses, the occasional goat, sheep, fallow deer and lots of birds. There are a number of footpaths across the forest.
Wellbeing and wine
From Dallington head east a little either to Mountfield Winery or Oastbrook Estate Vineyards. At either of these, you can book yourself a little retreat in their “away from it all” accommodation. At Oastbrook, check into their Avalon Waterside Lodge with its balcony overlooking the water and at Mountfield, check into their idyllic rural cabin with views across the parkland. At Mountfield they hold different events throughout the summer months and have a cellar door experience. At Oastbrook, they host summer fine wine and dining events.
Wildlife by definition can be elusive, and whilst there are some places where you are more or less guaranteed of seeing wildlife, other places may require more of a wait and some patience.
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