We are offering families free entry to our RSPB Pulborough Brooks nature reserve, West Sussex, to celebrate the start of spring.
The free family fun day will be held on Saturday 31st March. With a host of outdoor activities on offer, plus an all new adventure playground, there is certainly something to celebrate.
Events will include pond-dipping, games and a springtime quiz to guide you around the miles of nature trails the reserve has to offer. The reserve will also be running special family events across the Easter holidays. Your children can become wildlife detectives; learning to set up footprint tunnels, dissecting owl pellets, den building, pond-dipping and even explore nature based arts and crafts.
What's new for families?
RSPB Pulborough Brooks has always been great for wild families, but we've recently made major improvements to the family facilities on the reserve.
Working with Sussex-based, Playsafe Playgrounds Ltd, we've installed state-of-the-art wild play equipment. Learning through play is an important part of child development, and we are keen to ensure that all children have a safe space in which to get outside and play in nature.
The new play equipment includes balance beams and ropes, a clambering wall, a swinging hammock and more. Made from natural materials where possible, the structure has been designed for all ages and capabilities, including those with limited mobility. The path to the play area has also been resurfaced and is now fully accessible.
For little ones who are more interested in finding bugs, beetles and getting dirty, the nearby Wildlife Explorer Meadow is the perfect place to begin discovering the wildlife on the reserve. This enclosed meadow is situated right next to the play equipment, making it easy for parents to keep a watchful eye and balance the demands of children with different interests.
The playground project was funded by LEADER, an EU-funded rural grant programme designed to support local businesses as part of the Rural Development Programme for England and the Postcode Local Trust, which is supported by players of the People’s Postcode Lottery.
The Chairman of Central Sussex LEADER, David Hurst, said "This project is a very good way of introducing children to the countryside and we are pleased to support the work of the RSPB."
Clara Govier, Head of Charities at People's Postcode Lottery, also commented; "I'm delighted that the players of People's Postcode Lottery have been able to support this project which will encourage children to connect with nature through outdoor play." For families looking for family fun throughout the year, RSPB Pulborough Brooks also offers a range of hands-on activities and events all year round, giving every young person the opportunity to get closer to wildlife when they visit.
For more info about our events and the reserve visit RSPB Pulborough Brooks
Image Credits: Ben Andrews, RSPB Images and Emily Summers