By Does Your Duck Quack · Planning updated 27 October 2026
East Sussex’s listed places offer three different kinds of outing: coastal wetlands at Rye Harbour, restored heath at Broadwater Warren and woodland at Fore Wood. Rye Harbour suits a visit built around pools, shingle and hide views. Its five hides and Discovery Centre support a longer stay, while a shorter circular walk reaches three hides on a route described as suitable for wheelchairs and pushchairs. Little Tern, Lapwing and Redshank are among the Trust’s named birds. Near Tunbridge Wells, Broadwater Warren changes the setting to a mosaic of heath, scrub, wet ground and woodland created by opening former tree cover. Woodlark, Dartford Warbler and Nightjar give the heath a distinct interest; Marsh Tit, Kingfisher and Grey Heron broaden the woodland and pond selection. Fore Wood provides another woodland option reached from Crowhurst. For open chalk grassland, Mount Caburn above Glynde offers a contrasting hillside walk, with Meadow Pipit and Skylark over the grassland and Yellowhammer associated with the scrub and boundaries. These are separate starting points for choosing a visit around a particular habitat.
Rye Harbour Nature Reserve: Follow the official village-car-park directions, then the pedestrian route to the reserve. For rail arrivals, compare the separate Rye Station approach to the Brede Lock entrance. Read the visitor access notes.
Fore Wood: Walk from Crowhurst railway station through the village and follow the signed field path to Fore Wood. Read the visitor access notes.
Where to stay in East Sussex
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Rye
Our base suggestion for comparing Rye Harbour Nature Reserve with Broadwater Warren.
Rye Harbour Nature Reserve: approximately 5 minutes / 2.3 miles by road. Measured 2026-10-26; excludes traffic, parking and walking. Open road directions
Road estimate to the mapped site approach; use the entry’s public-access directions for the final walk.
Broadwater Warren: approximately 48 minutes / 30.6 miles by road. Measured 2026-10-26; excludes traffic, parking and walking. Open road directions
Road estimate to the mapped site approach; use the entry’s public-access directions for the final walk.
Our base suggestion for comparing Rye Harbour Nature Reserve with Broadwater Warren.
Rye Harbour Nature Reserve: approximately 1 minutes / 0.2 miles by road. Measured 2026-10-26; excludes traffic, parking and walking. Open road directions
Road estimate to the mapped site approach; use the entry’s public-access directions for the final walk.
Broadwater Warren: approximately 50 minutes / 32.2 miles by road. Measured 2026-10-26; excludes traffic, parking and walking. Open road directions
Road estimate to the mapped site approach; use the entry’s public-access directions for the final walk.
Our base suggestion for comparing Rye Harbour Nature Reserve with Broadwater Warren.
Rye Harbour Nature Reserve: approximately 30 minutes / 16.9 miles by road. Measured 2026-10-26; excludes traffic, parking and walking. Open road directions
Road estimate to the mapped site approach; use the entry’s public-access directions for the final walk.
Broadwater Warren: approximately 40 minutes / 26.9 miles by road. Measured 2026-10-26; excludes traffic, parking and walking. Open road directions
Road estimate to the mapped site approach; use the entry’s public-access directions for the final walk.
Old Lodge: Watch Woodlark, Redstart in heathland. Arlington Reservoir: Watch winter Wigeon and Shoveler flocks from the reservoir trail.
Which birds are associated with these East Sussex sites?
Old Lodge: Woodlark — Season not stated by source; Redstart — Season not stated; Raven — Season not stated by source. Arlington Reservoir: Wigeon — Winter; Shoveler — Winter; Osprey — Occasional spring and autumn passage.
How do I reach these birdwatching places?
Old Lodge: The public car park is just north of the Old Lodge private road on the west side of the B2026, north of Kings Standing. The pin decodes the current operator page’s published map location; it is a representative reserve point. Arlington Reservoir: The reservoir is north of the A27 Drusillas roundabout, signposted towards Berwick Station and Upper Dicker. The pin uses the operator’s precise public-car-park grid reference; the general postcode covers a wider area.
What visitor facilities are described?
Old Lodge: The small public car park beside the B2026 is owned by the Conservators of Ashdown Forest and has parking charges. Arlington Reservoir: A public car park is provided; payment is contactless only.
What access information should I check?
Old Lodge: The Trust says the reserve is unsuitable for wheelchairs or buggies.
Can I bring a dog to these places?
Old Lodge: Dogs must be on short leads throughout the year; livestock graze the reserve. Arlington Reservoir: Dogs are welcome on leads at all times.
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