Gatwick Brook Nature Reserve

A Site of Nature Conservation Importance and a Site of Special Scientific Interest, featuring diverse habitats that support a variety of species.

Tucked beside the River Mole and just north of Gatwick Airport, Gatwick Brook Nature Reserve offers a surprising contrast to its urban neighbours. This small but rich reserve consists of wildflower meadows, shallow pools, and reed-fringed wetlands that attract a variety of birdlife. FeatherFrame includes Gatwick Brook to highlight how even the most unexpected locations—wedged between roads, rails, and runways—can shelter vibrant pockets of biodiversity.

Warblers, Wagtails, and Wetland Details

The reserve’s damp margins and open scrapes draw in grey wagtails, reed warblers, chiffchaffs, and the occasional snipe. It’s also a good spot for photographing dragonflies and damselflies in mid-summer. In winter, look for redwing and fieldfare in the surrounding hedgerows. FeatherFrame photographers recommend Gatwick Brook for close work—watching how light interacts with reeds, how reflections play across puddles, and how even roadside birds can make for compelling subjects.

Best Times to Visit:

  • Spring: Early migrants, insect activity, fresh reed growth

  • Summer: Dragonflies, reed warblers in song, morning mist

  • Autumn: Migrating thrushes, warm-toned grasses, and soft sunset light

  • Winter: Overwintering finches, clearer sightlines, and frosty textures

Plan Your Visit

  • Access from Povey Cross Road (near RH6 0AE); no formal car park—park with care on nearby residential streets

  • Short trails loop through the site; terrain may be uneven or damp after rain

  • Best gear: 300–500mm lens for birds, macro for insect work, wide lens for habitat context

  • FeatherFrame tip: Avoid busy air traffic hours—early morning or golden hour light with less aircraft noise enhances the experience

Did you know?

Despite being less than a mile from the terminals, Gatwick Brook hosts over 100 species of plants and dozens of bird species, thanks to targeted habitat restoration. It’s part of a growing network of green infrastructure that softens the ecological footprint of major developments. FeatherFrame includes this reserve as a testament to resilience—where nature flourishes even in the shadow of jets and junctions.