So with springtime around the corner let’s take a look at some great local family walks in Sussex.
I have three children and often, as they have grown older, family walks are not always high on their agenda! However, they are on mine. Getting out in the fresh air does no end of good for mental well-being. Fact. Once out and about all ages enjoy the freedom and space the fresh air and the great outdoors bring.
We are truly blessed to live in Sussex. There are so many wonderful outside spaces around us. Even if you are city or town based it is only a short drive to gather that much needed lungful of fresh air. So let’s get outside and enjoy our wide choice of great family walks in Sussex.
Buchan Park
A real favourite of mine, so many of my family portrait and location sessions take place here. It is a great space all year round and has the variety for shorter walks around the main lake or longer walks around the park itself. It has great access for wheelchairs and pushchairs. It’s also a firm favourite with dog walkers too – it even has it own dog dipping pond! There is a small countryside centre and also toilet facilities and a local Coffee Barista who is often parked up at the top end of the car park. A definite winner for me!!!!
Your children will love walking around the lake collecting pine cones and there is much wildlife to look out for, including dragonflies, lots of birds, Great Crested Grebes, even adders and Grass Snakes. I have also been known to spot a deer or two on my portrait sessions, but this does require a little less noise. Not always possible with young children in tow!!! Buchan Country Park is just South West of Crawley with easy access off the A2220. Definitely worth a drive if you haven’t been there before.
Downs Link
We are really blessed in and around Sussex to have use of the Downs Link. Once two different railway lines, disused since the 1960s, the Downs Link literally links the North Downs and the South Downs. It takes in the Surrey Hills, the Low Weald, the South Downs and the Coastal Plain. All 37 miles of it, Guildford to Shoreham. Now, I am not saying you are that ambitious with your walking. However, there are plenty of places to park nearby along route to enjoy a short or long stroll. The old railway carriage is definitely worth a visit near me, at what was the West Grinstead station, and little ones can even pull the lever to change the old station signal which is there. You do need to be mindful of cyclists and horse riders who also use the route but should give you warming that they coming along behind you! Buggy friendly too.
Goring/Ferring Seafront – or any seafront for the matter!!!!
Well, a list of great places to walk wouldn’t be complete without a seaside venue. Seeing as the coast is so close to us – Sussex has about 90 miles of shoreline – why not make the most of it, right? We always opt for parking at Goring-by-Sea, along Marine Drive. Although we do tend to avoid the busier times in the summer. Then you can walk in either direction. Head east towards the Sea Lane Cafe (a handy pitstop for coffee) and on towards Worthing. Or, my new favourite, west down to The Bluebird Cafe in Ferring, which offers both a takeaway and sit in coffee options. From there you can walk onto Kingston Beach and Angmering if your children are happy to walk a little farther! Although with the distractions of throwing stones, dodging waves, and picking up special beach treasures you might not get farther than the section of beach just in from where you park!
And don’t forget to breathe deeply, and inhale that fabulous fresh sea air.
Cuckmere Haven
This again is another flat walk, so suitable for young children although not buggy friendly I am afraid. Located in Seven Sisters Country Park, near Seaford, it is where the South Downs meets the sea. It has a lovely meandering river walk right down to the sea and the pebbly beach. The beach (and the dramatic backdrop of the white chalk cliffs) has been used as a location in a number of films including Harry Potter and Robin Hood. There is some great wildlife to keep an eye out for including herons, oystercatchers, grebes, cormorants, egrets, and swans. If you would like to venture further afield there is a circular walk though wetlands and back along Vanguard Way which is around three miles, or if you are fancying a much longer jaunt they why not try walking up the Seven Sisters.
Leechpool and Owlbeech Woods
Just up the road from me in Horsham, with around 53 acres of ancient woodland there is plenty of space for all to enjoy. Open all year round with several trails covering the woods including a sculpture trail. I am also often found shooting here when on location. As with all walks it is popular with dog walkers so you do have to mind the mess, but there is good, free parking and you can choose how far you wish to walk. Little ones love a good forage in the woods and I am sure after a visit or two your collection of sticks, pine cones, and other woodland treasures leaves will find their way back to your doorstep!
Tilgate Park
This wonderful park in Crawley has something for everyone, strolls around the lake, playparks, walled garden and maze, and even a reasonably priced Nature Centre, with over 100 different species. It was a go to place for me when I had young children. There is just so much space, you could walk as far or as little as you wanted. Plus it is all buggy friendly which is brilliant. Good facilities and there is a decent size car park which you need to pay for.
We have so many great family walks in Sussex. However with all great walks comes the Great British weather so…….
Great family walks in Sussex
Would you like to book in for a session?
Have a look at the Family Photography page on my website for further info on this type of session. Or if you simply wish to discuss locations then please email info@samphirephotography.co.uk or call me on 07989 594236. I look forward to hearing from you xx
https://www.samphirephotography.co.uk/contact-me-sussex-portrait-photography/
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