Sussex is a place where nature still feels wonderfully alive. Rewilded estates echo with birdsong and wetlands shimmer with migrating flocks. Across the coast of Sussex Bay, dolphin chase tuna over recovering kelp beds and across the landscape regenerative farmers are restoring biodiversity from the ground up. If you’re seeking immersive, nature‑rich adventure, this is where to rediscover your wild heart.
From the chalk cliffs and ancient yews of the South Downs to the wooded sunken lanes of the High Weald, restored chalk streams, and the tranquil waterways of Chichester Harbour, Sussex is leading the way in land‑to‑sea conservation. Offshore, nine Marine Conservation Zones and a Highly Protected Marine Area now safeguard 22% of Sussex’s seas, with kelp and seagrass being actively restored. The county is also home to The Living Coast UNESCO Biosphere, Sussex Bay a wholescape marine recovery programme and Weald to Waves, a major project to create a nature corridor from the weald to the waves of Sussex.
Rewild Your Senses at Knepp
Begin your journey at Knepp Wildland, a pioneering 3,500‑acre rewilding estate where nightingales, turtle doves and purple emperors have flourished since 2000. Join a guided safari to see white storks, beavers and free‑roaming herbivores, then enjoy wild meats and seasonal dishes at the MICHELIN Green Star Wilding Kitchen.
Explore Sussex with the Wildlife Trust
The Sussex Wildlife Trust cares for 30+ reserves — from chalk grassland at Ditchling Beacon to ancient woodland at The Mens and the expansive coastal wilderness of Rye Harbour. Depending on the season, spot avocets, dragonflies or the endangered curlew, and join their guided walks, workshops or wellbeing sessions. Book a workshop
Walk on the Wild Side with Watermill Wolves
Meet the UK’s most famous wolfdog acting pack, learn about wolf behaviour and their role in rewilding landscapes. Enjoy a wolf walk in the woods, or book a unique experience from camping to high tea with the wolves. These wolf descendants will reconnect you to your wild at Watermill Wolves.
Wetland Wonders: Pulborough Brooks & Pagham Harbour
Spot nightingales in spring and dragonflies in summer at Pulborough Brooks, where White‑tailed Eagles are regularly spotted.
At Pagham Harbour, an internationally significant wetland, explore saltmarsh, mudflats and shingle rich with seasonal birdlife, with events on regularly too.
Paddle Sussex’s Wild Waterways
Drift along the tranquil River Arun with Pulbourough Paddles, or explore Chichester Harbour’s wildlife‑rich inlets with Fluid Adventures. For a river with rights, join Hatt Adventures on the Ouse — one of the UK’s first rivers with its own Charter of Rights.
Head Out to Sea with the Sussex Dolphin Project
Departing from Brighton or Newhaven, the Sussex Dolphin Project runs wildlife boat trips that support research and conservation. Choose sunset sails, Seven Sisters tours or offshore trips to Rampion Wind Farm. Or take a nature tour of Chichester Harbour aboard the Solar Heritage, totally solar-powered , silent and a perfect way to see the seals.
Discover the Underwater World with Mulberry Marine Experiences
In Selsey, Mulberry Marine Experiences offers guided ecology walks revealing kelp forests, mermaid’s purses and the hidden engineering of rockpools. Their small‑group snorkel tours help you explore safely while learning about Sussex’s marine habitats. As a Community Interest Company, they reinvest profits into conservation and citizen science.
