Waltham Brooks Nature Reserve

Grazing marsh with a large open water area important for birds.

•   Waltham Brooks map

Almost opposite our Amberley Wildbrooks nature reserve, just across the river, lies the grazing marsh of Waltham Brooks. In winters of very heavy rainfall almost the entire reserve becomes a giant lake.The river banks of the Arun floodplain have been built up for flood defence creating an elevated walk-way to view the reserve from. Wildfowl such as Teal, Shoveler, Wigeon and Pintail take advantage of the sanctuary and the feeding opportunities the flood waters offer. In summer the lake can almost dry out leaving muddy margins important for breed­ing waders such as Lapwing and Redshank and the occasional passage migrant such as Green and Wood Sandpiper.

Temporary Footpath Closure (from 26/07/24)

Unfortunately, we have had to temporarily close the footpaths in northwestern compartment of Waltham Brooks Nature Reserve while we manage livestock movements.

This impacts footpath 2453 and a section short section of 2426 in Coldwaltham CP at the northwestern section of Waltham Brooks Nature Reserve, Brook Lane. Access to our Waltham Brooks reserve east of the railway track remains open as normal.

We ask all visitors to please follow on-site signage. We apologise for any inconvenience and we are working to reopen this area of the reserve to the public as soon as possible.

Waltham Brooks Nature Reserve is free to visit, but we are only able to care for Waltham Brooks with the support we receive from our members. Please consider becoming a member today.

Virtual Tour

Use the virtual tour below to explore the reserve by dragging around and clicking on where you'd like to walk.

Click 'view on google maps' to explore in more detail using the yellow figure to drag to different places on the reserve.