WWT Arundel
BEST FOR
Ages 3-17
ENTRY
from £9.36
SETTING
Outdoors
WHERE
Arundel
What it’s like
Boat safaris through the reed beds, pond dipping and a wild play trail for kids who like getting muddy.
This is a wetland reserve you explore mostly on foot, with a boat safari gliding you through the reed beds if you fancy sitting down for a bit. Kids get proper hands-on stuff here: pond dipping nets out, wildlife to spot from the hides, and a nature play area built for darting about like a dragonfly rather than climbing a plastic frame. It suits a wide age range because there's always something to look at even when the running-about bit gets boring for the older ones.
Term time on a weekday is the move if you can manage it. Weekends get busy from 11am onwards, and the school holidays push the car park to its limit, so turning up early is the difference between a relaxed morning and a slow crawl round a packed site. There are quieter pond dipping sessions on Sunday mornings in summer for anyone who needs a calmer pace, and you book those at the admission desk rather than online.
Money-wise, it's not cheap. A family ticket runs to £40.77 online, more if you leave it to the day, though booking ahead knocks 10% off. The Water's Edge café covers hot food and drinks until 4pm, and there are picnic areas if you'd rather bring your own. Last entry is 3:30pm, an hour before the gates shut at 4:30pm, so this isn't a quick after-school stop.
Wheelchair users get free manual chairs to borrow, though there are only three and they go first come first served. The boats only take manual wheelchairs within a certain size, so worth bearing in mind if you've got a bigger one. Dogs have to stay home unless they're a trained assistance dog, which stings a bit if your family walk usually comes with one, but it makes sense once you think about the wildlife they're protecting.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- 3 to 12, with hides and boat trips that hold older kids too
- Last entry
- Last admission 3:30pm (one hour before 4:30pm closing)
- Parking
- Free on site, first come first served
- Food
- Water's Edge Café open 10am-4pm daily with hot and cold food and drink options, plus picnic areas
- Wheelchairs
- Free manual wheelchairs available to borrow (3 available, first come first served)
- Dogs
- Assistance dogs only, must be on lead and under control
- Getting there by bus or train
- Arundel rail station 1.3 miles (25 minute walk)
- Worth knowing
- Save 10% on admission tickets when booking online in advance
- Parking is free but limited, so early is best in the holidays
- Booking online saves 10% even though you don't have to book at all
- No pets except trained assistance dogs, so leave the family dog at home
- Boats only take manual wheelchairs up to 66cm wheelbase and 80cm width
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
A family of two adults and two kids works out at £40.77 if you book online, or £45.30 turning up on the day. Booking ahead always saves you a bit.
Do we need to book in advance?
No need, you can just turn up. Booking online gets you a 10% discount though, so it's worth doing anyway.
What age is it good for?
It's aimed at ages 3 to 17, though the boat safaris and hides work for adults too. Younger toddlers might get more out of the play area than the wildlife watching.
Is there parking?
Parking's free, but the car park fills up fast in the Easter and summer holidays. Get there before 11am at weekends if you want an easy time of it.
Can we bring the dog?
Only assistance dogs are allowed, kept on a lead. Regular pets have to stay at home, since the wildlife spooks easily.
What's there to eat?
The Water's Edge café does hot and cold food until 4pm. There are also picnic spots dotted around if you bring your own lunch.
How long does a visit take?
Last entry is 3:30pm and the whole place shuts at 4:30pm, so give yourself a proper chunk of the day rather than squeezing it into an hour or two.
Is it wheelchair friendly?
There are level paved paths and accessible hides, plus three free manual wheelchairs to borrow if you need one. The boats only fit manual chairs up to a certain size, so check that works for you before you plan a safari.
When's the quietest time to visit?
Weekday mornings in term time are your best bet. May to July gets an exception, oddly enough it quietens down from 2pm.
Are there calmer sessions for kids who find busy places tricky?
Sunday mornings in summer have a quieter pond dipping session for neuro-divergent visitors or anyone who needs it. Spaces are limited so book at the admission desk when you arrive.
Can we get there without a car?
There's a train station a mile and a bit away, about a 25 minute walk. The number 9 bus runs from Littlehampton hourly, though that still leaves you a mile to walk from town.
Do the boat safaris run all year?
Pretty much daily, except in December and January when they switch to weekends only.
See all Zoos & Wildlife Parks in Brighton · Things to do in Brighton
MAKE A DAY OF IT
