Parks, Gardens & Wildlife

Discover the very best of West Sussex with gardens, nature reserves and other unmissable attractions that offer fantastic days out for all ages. Whether you’re searching for peaceful green spaces to explore, vibrant floral displays, or wildlife-rich nature reserves teeming with birds and butterflies, West Sussex has a wealth of things to do in the great outdoors. From beautifully landscaped parks to hidden natural gems and stunning Sussex countryside, this guide to parks, gardens and wildlife highlights the perfect attractions for nature lovers, families and anyone looking to make the most of days out in one of England’s most scenic counties.

Great Gardens

For garden lovers, West Dean Gardens is a must-visit. One of the greatest restored gardens open to the public today this is a real gardener’s paradise with its impressive Victorian glasshouse, sunken and walled gardens and seasonal planting, as well as historic features and even the odd surreal tree. You can even sign up to a garden-themed short course here to hone your green-fingered skills. You might recognise Head Gardener of West Dean Gardens, Tom Brown, from his regular column in BBC Gardener’s World Magazine or his column in The Telegraph - keep your eyes peeled for talks and tours by the gardening team and you might just catch a glimpse of Tom!

Each Spring, Arundel Castle’s stately gardens are vibrant and beautiful. Each April the impressive Tulip Festival produces breath-taking displays of thousands of blooms in a glorious rainbow of colours which you can explore. Nearby Denmans Garden has interest in all seasons with its creative, exotic and often architectural planting combinations with peaceful places to sit and take it all in offering inspiration and design ideas for gardeners of all levels and with gardens of all sizes. The ever-evolving Woolbeding Gardens, managed by the National Trust, is a magical experience, where formal gardens merge into the far-reaching rural landscape of the River Rother, a perfect backdrop for the many sculptures and follies you’ll come across. A masterpiece of colour and design, you’ll lose hours exploring this carefully cultivated and constantly evolving garden.

National Trust Parklands

At Petworth the grounds of Petworth House provide over 700 acres of Capability Brown designed parklands where the herd of fallow deer roam freely, and where you’ll see the very views to the South Downs which have inspired artists like JMW Turner.  Incredible views are also on offer at from the gardens of the National Trust’s Uppark House. Perched high in the downs, the grounds are thoughtfully planted, and newly restored pathways wind themselves around the beautiful regency garden, giving visitors glimpses of the spectacular theatre Humphry Repton hoped visitors to Uppark would experience in the 1800s. 

RSPB Nature reserves

Located in one of the sunniest spots in the South, adjacent to the South Downs National Park and just a few miles from the coast, Chichester and its surrounding areas boast a variety of opportunities to be immersed in nature and to spot wildlife - from waterside walks to important nature reserves. The RSPB reserves of Pagham Harbour and Medmerry are some of the most important sites for nature on the south coast, in particular for wetland birds. It’s possible to see up to 60 species in one visit – binoculars at the ready!

Chichester's Green Spaces

Hidden in the centre of Chichester, savour tranquil surroundings of trees, colourful planting and awe-inspiring views of the Cathedral in Bishops Palace Gardens. Nearby, Priory Park is home to the remains of a Norman motte, as well as the Guildhall, and from here you can explore the Roman city walls. Unbeknownst to some, the Chichester Canal sits just a few minutes walk from the thriving high streets, and is a wildlife haven. Scheduled Canal Boat trips allows you to meet the resident swans, geese, moorhens, coots – and if you’re lucky, you might just see a flash of Kingfisher turquoise.

South Downs National Park

At the heart of the South Downs National Park, the market town of Midhurst is surrounded by some of Sussex’s most stunning countryside. From rolling hills and wooded forests to heathland which provides important habitats for rare species of wildlife. Explore Cowdray Estate’s walks and discover Benbow Pond, and the deer park, home to the Queen Elizabeth Oak rumoured to be almost 1,000 years old.