Brighton’s Most Beautiful Nature Spots and Green Spaces
If you want to frolic in nature without leaving city comforts too far behind, we recommend you take an alternative tour of Brighton. Have a look at our top Brighton nature spots and make the most of the East Sussex countryside.
By Charlie Walker | Updated Aug 29 2024
From sprawling National Park landscapes to manicured gardens, getting yourself to one of these lush, natural spaces will set your soul at peace. These are our favourite nature spots and green spaces in and around Brighton:
Brighton Seafront
We couldn't talk about Brighton without mentioning the beach! Brighton and Hove offer 11 kilometres of beautiful seafront with plenty of attractions to enjoy
South Downs National Park
Though it may be England’s newest National Park South Downs does not disappoint, with market towns, beautiful landscapes and exciting wildlife. From strawberry fairs in the summer to bonfire night in November, the Park is bustling with life and activity, and is worth a visit any time throughout the year. Go horse riding down the National Trail or try gliding across the Downs. For a high tech scavenger hunt try geocaching, where you use your smartphone to discover caches hidden in nature.
Devil’s Dyke
A National Trust site, Devil’s Dyke is famous for its stunning views and for being the deepest and widest dry valley in Britain. For a quiet summer afternoon with the family we suggest taking a packed lunch for a picnic with a view and berry picking with the children. If you’re feeling more adventurous, we suggest spending the day cycling or hiking in the area. If you’re really looking for a challenge, we hear Devil’s Dyke is the perfect spot for paragliding…
Stanmer Park
Stanmer Park is part of the gorgeous South Downs National Park, and is one of the best places to head for walks in Brighton. With approximately 5,000 acres, there is plenty of open space for you and your family or friends to walk, explore, or have a relaxed picnic. If you get thirsty, you can stroll over to Stanmer Village, the hugely picturesque village found in the park, which has a tea room as well as a pretty church.
Kipling Gardens
If you don’t want to stray too far from the city, Kipling Gardens are the perfect spot for a quiet getaway. Only a few miles from Brighton, the gardens originally belonged to Rudyard Kipling’s country house in Rottingdean, and are now open to the public. Take a stroll through the rose garden before settling down with a good book for afternoon tea in the tranquil herb garden. If you’re lucky, you might even enjoy a game of croquet!
Withdean Woods
If you like your nature that bit darker and mysterious, you might like a visit to Withdean Woods, easily accessible from the centre of Brighton by bus. These lovely woods boast a large range of wildlife, such as foxes and badgers, and is a great spot for bird watching. If you or your family are partial to bit of twitching, you’ll want to go for a walk here, where you are in with a chance to see a great spotted woodpecker, a tawny owl or a goldcrest.
Ditchling Beacon
Ditchling Beacon, the highest point in East Sussex, is situated south of the village of Ditchling, and not far from Brighton. At 248 miles above sea-level, you can get some incredible views of the surrounding area, particularly the beautiful lands of the Downs. There’s also a marked walking trail that takes you from here to another great spot, Devil’s Dyke. The beacon is also on the site of an ancient Iron-Age hillfort, so perfect for any history buffs who love nature too!
Waterhall Dew Pond
Waterhall Conservation Area is a special place, with an unusual feature of a dew pond, a makeshift drinking hole for animals dug into the ground. The dew pond at Waterhall attracts many different kinds of wildlife, such as amphibians and waterfowl. There are also sheep grazing around the area which help maintain the local habitat.