Photogenic

Locations in Sussex

Things to go and take photographs of in the Sussex area. (£) indicates a charge for entry. GR denotes Ordnance Survey grid reference.

Why not add fresh locations that might be of interest to members. Ideally, giving Grid Refs and indicating fees with a £ sign, please e-mail RPS South East Region.

Ardingly Show Ground

Many interesting shows throughout the year. Main event the South of England Show, end of first week in June. On the B2028

GR TQ 345304 Show details from the South of England Agricultural Society website.

Ardingly Reservoir

Nature walks around reservoir. Good for birds, plants mosses, fungi (in autumn). 

Parking GR TQ 336286. Also access at GR TQ331299 (limited parking).

Arundel Castle

Swanscombe Park lakes etc. (£)

Wildlife and Wetlands Trust Centre, with wide range of water birds.(£)

Ashdown Forest

Large area of woodland and open heath - gorse, heather and bracken. Photogenic for general landscapes and wildlife - lichens, fungi (in autumn) and mosses. Wetter areas have bog plants such as Sphagnum, bog asphodel, sundews and cotton grass.

Details from Visitors Centre, GR TQ 432324.

Other areas for car parks and walks, GR TQ 438325, 402327, 471302.

Barcombe Mills

Free parking. Area of rivers, weirs and water meadows. Much of interest for the nature photographer.

GR TQ 435146

Bateman's (National Trust)

Home of Rudyard Kipling (special permission needed for photography of interior), gardens and working, corn grinding, water mill. Off A265 near Burwash. (£)

GR TQ 671238

Bodiam Castle (National Trust)

Famous well-preserved, moated castle. Most photogenic early morning and evening - or all day during winter. (£)  

GR TQ 783255

Bentley Wild Fowl Reserve and Motor Museum

Old motor vehicles and large area of water birds. (£)

GR TQ 487157. Near Uckfield.

Bewl Water

Photogenic for woodland, water, boats, birds. Miles of footpaths around water. Parking (£)

Off A21 near Lamberhurst (Kent).

Visitors Centre GR TQ 675338.

Free footpath access at Rosemary Lane (limited free parking) GR TQ 700320

Bexhill De La Warr Pavillion and seafront

An interesting 'art deco' building and esplanade.

Brighton

Regency Palace of George IV. Exteriors only without permission. Nearby area of the Lanes and Gardner St. etc. Much local colour for street photography.

Chichester and Chichester Cathedral 

Mediaeval City with Cathedral.

Clayton

Jack and Jill Windmills. Photogenic area on South Downs Way. Jill Mill more easily accessed. Open some days.

Free parking GR TQ 303135, 

Drusilla's Zoo  

Good selection of zoological specimens, take the kids and snap their reactions. (£)

Near Alfriston GR TQ525049.

Hadlow Down Steam Fair

Annual Event for steam traction engines, vintage vehicles and much else (£)

GR TQ

Hastings

Many areas of interest. Active fishing fleet from beach. Beach sheds, nets, winches etc. Old fishing net buildings. Cliff railway. Hastings Pier. Hastings Castle. Old town architecture. Parking (£)

Michelham Priory near Upper Dicker

Priory and Gardens. (£)

GR TQ 533377

Newhaven West Pier, Forts and Breakwater

Cliffs, ships, fishing boats, light house. Spectacular waves breaking during gales.

Parking (£) in summer.

GR TQ 449000.

Nymans Garden (National Trust)

Formal Gardens and woodland walks. Statues, architectural features,  part ruined house. (£)

Near Handcross, off A23.

Pashley Manor Gardens

Elegant gardens with sculptures. Specialise in tulips; huge display in late Feb/March/April. (£)

Near Hurst Green. GR TQ705292.

Petworth House (National Trust)

Landscaped gardens by Capability Brown (no interior photography) (£) and parking (free)

Romney Marsh and Churches

Large lowland area with churches such as Brenzett GR TR 005277, Snargate TQ991286, Ivychurch TR028277, Old Romney TR035252, Fairfield TQ966265.

Rye

Ancient town and Cinque Port. Many old buildings, quay. Rye Harbour and Nature reserve nearby with river, boats, shingle and salt marsh plants.

GR TQ942190

Seven Sisters Country Park and Cuckmere Haven

Area of great natural history interest. Visitor's Centre, River estuary, chalk cliffs, shingle beaches.

GR TV519995

Sussex Piers 

at Hastings, Eastbourne, Brighton (East and West), Worthing, Bognor.

Sheffield Park Gardens (National Trust)

Gardens, lakes, water features, good in spring and for autumn colour. (£)

GR TQ408241

Sheffield Park - Bluebell Line

Preserved Steam Trains, Station,  museums, memorabilia, engine sheds. Steam drawn trains returns to Horsted Keynes. Worth combining with Sheffield Park Gardens

GR TQ404237

South Downs

Stretch across  much of Sussex E to W, major long distance path the South  Downs Way. Many photogenic landscapes, also wildlife, especially flowers and butterflies. 

Some access points with free parking: Firle Beacon GR TQ469059, Bo-Peep Car park (Aciston) TQ493051, Ditchling Beacon TQ333130 and Devil's Dyke TQ258111.

Wakehurst Place and the Millennium Seed Bank

Woodland, rocks, formal gardens. Seed Bank with architectural interest, plus raised habitat beds. Much of natural history interest. (£) (Kew and National Trust Cards free).

Near Ardingly on the B2028. GR TQ343315.

Winchelsea

Historic town, originally an important port, now landlocked. Church and buildings. Not far from Rye - a nice joint day trip.

GR TQ905175.

Winchelsea Beach

Shingle beach, interesting groynes etc.

GR TQ915160