Bramber Brooks Nature Reserve

Nestled on the edge of Bramber village, lies Bramber Brooks Nature Reserve.

Stretching over 40 acres, from the foot of Bramber Castle across to the River Adur, the site Is a special one of both natural and archaeological importance. Formerly a  floodplain, the brooks now form part of the larger River Adur Water Meadows Local Wildlife Site, valuable for its wetland plants.

Within the Reserve is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, containing some of the only undisturbed medieval salterns along the south coast. The cut paths that wind round the reserve, lead visitors over these remnants of the medieval salt trade.

A thriving community orchard, established in 2018, lies to the east. Planted with a wide range of heritage apple trees, these include Sussex heritage varieties Egremont Russet and Sussex Mother.

To the Western side of Bramber Brooks, is a gated enclosure which order to protect the local wildlife, is a designated ‘dog free area’.

Horsham District Council acquired the site in January 2024 and are working with our residents to preserve this valuable community asset.
In 2025, the Environment Agency completed a year long programme of works to to construct a series of wetland ponds and create raised walkways with pedestrian bridges, to help facilitate public access all year-round.

The compensatory habitat works was delivered as part of the Environment Agency’s Shoreham Adur Tidal Walls flood defence scheme - a project  that has better protected over 2,000 properties (OM2s) from tidal and fluvial flood events. The habitat created at the Brooks was to replace habitat lost during construction of the main scheme further downstream at Shoreham Airport.

Join us for our Volunteer  Task
Monday 3 November, 10.00am - 3.00pm

On Monday 3 November, 10.00am - 3.00pm we are hosting a joint working party with Wilder Horsham District to cut back brambles and scrub - and we are looking for volunteers to help.

This is important work as we will be exposing the historical Salterns that are protected archaeological features of Bramber. As well as the historical element, this is also a key conservation project to protect the site’s wildlife and ecosystem.
Healthy wetlands also absorb floodwaters, purify runoff, and store carbon, so not only is a wetland great for wildlife but it will also help those living close to the river Adur with flood risk prevention and tackling climate change.

No experience is necessary as all the tasks will be explained on the day - we are just looking for willing and able hands to help us.

What will the day involve?

When: Thursday 3 November, 10.00am - 3.00pm

Where: Meet by the Community Orchard and we will walk to the work site together.
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What to wear: Sensible warm and waterproof outdoor clothes that you don’t mind getting muddy and will protect you from brambles!

What to bring: Lunch, water and a hot drink (we will provide biscuits for our regular breaks!).
If you have hand tools and gloves, please bring those with you.

If you are interested in coming along or would like to know more, please e-mail countryside@horsham.gov.uk
We look forward to seeing you there.

A thriving community

Discover the history of the site

Sit and watch the world go by

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