AmBerLeY, West sussex
This little corner of the South Downs is brimming with birdlife. From Amberley Wildbrooks – a wetland Site of Special Scientific Interest – to the Arundel Wetland Centre, you’re likely to spot dozens of rare birds and wildfowl. In winter, Wildbrooks is one of the few remaining places you can still see Bewick’s Swan; you might also spot a wigeon, teal and hobby. All you need is a pair of good binoculars, and you’re off! Where to stay Amberley Castle, a restored, former medieval hunting lodge, boasts 19 luxurious bedrooms, 12 acres of beautiful landscaped garden, and an impressive, 12th-century, barrel-vaulted dining room. Entrance is through the original portcullis, and many other original features still remain. Doubles from around £176pn; amberleycastle.co.uk