Ardingly Reservoir

A 74.5-hectare Local Nature Reserve managed by South East Water, offering a range of habitats and recreational activities including fishing, sailing, and birdwatching.

Ardingly Reservoir is a broad, tranquil expanse tucked between woodland and farmland in West Sussex. Managed by South East Water and part of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, it’s popular with both birdwatchers and walkers year-round. With quiet bays, wooded margins, and large open water, Ardingly offers sweeping scenes and precise wildlife encounters—earning its place on FeatherFrame as a flexible and rewarding bird photography location.

Open-Water Birds, Woodland Edges, and Wide Sky Reflections

Expect to see great crested grebes, cormorants, herons, and a range of ducks across seasons. Winter can bring tufted ducks, goldeneye, and goosander, while summer draws in warblers and woodland birds along the trails. There are occasional raptor sightings overhead and excellent opportunities to play with water reflections, layers of reed, and long-lens portraits of diving birds. FeatherFrame photographers favour Ardingly for its scope—great for bird-in-landscape storytelling and layered environmental compositions.

Best Times to Visit:

  • Spring: Nesting grebes, returning warblers, fresh greens

  • Summer: Dragonflies, juvenile waterfowl, calm waters

  • Autumn: Changing colours, low sun, and duck flocks

  • Winter: Visiting waterfowl, cold light, and moody skies

Plan Your Visit

  • Main car park at Ardingly Activity Centre (RH17 6SQ) with trails along the northern shore

  • Access includes woodland paths, open fields, and waterside clearings

  • Best gear: 300–500mm lenses for birds, wide-angle for scenic captures, polariser helps with reflections

  • FeatherFrame tip: check out the eastern bays during early morning or golden hour—the soft light and still water make for dreamy grebe portraits

Did you know?

Ardingly Reservoir plays a key role in local water supply while also supporting rich wildlife and designated conservation zones. Its balance between human use and habitat value shows how reservoirs can thrive as biodiversity hubs. FeatherFrame includes Ardingly to spotlight these dual-purpose sites—where thoughtful land management and patient photography go hand in hand.