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Excellent location; modern comfortable rooms; great facilities incl. fitness centre; food good though often over-generous. Friendly, helpful staff. Excellent mix of birding, botany, nature plus history and local interest. One of the best ever Naturetrek trips - and that's saying something! The small congenial group, the exceptional leaders, the excellent hotel, the fact that we were basically on our home turf with no need to endure the hassle of lengthy journeys (either to/from the holiday destination or during the trip), the wonderful and varied landscapes, locations and experiences - and our good luck with the weather - all contributed to a perfect trip.
V.Y. London, July 23
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Go Slow in East Sussex
Tour Code: GBR310A relaxing 5-day holiday to the wildlife-rich and historic lands of East Sussex, enjoying key wildlife sites such as Rye Harbour, and historic sites including both Bodiam and Camber Castles.
5 days
from
£1,195 (land only)
£1,195 (land only)
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Summary
This recent addition to our 'Go Slow' portfolio is set in the stunning and historic landscapes of East Sussex, only a 15-minute drive from Rye. Based at a small, yet characterful, spa hotel in the village of Peasmarsh, the proximity to the key wildlife sites ensures little time is spent in the minibus and more time can be enjoyed at each location. Rye Harbour is one of the largest nature reserves in Sussex, which means we will have to visit this incredible reserve on two occasions, but exploring a different site within the reserve each time. It is a key area for a plethora of birds, comprising hundreds of breeding Sandwich Terns, Black-headed Gulls and Ringed Plovers, while the shingle areas are home to many rare plant species, plus we will also pay an external visit to the 16th century Camber Castle. A gentle 'river cruise' down the River Rother should be a highlight of the trip as we can also enjoy a cream tea or prosecco onboard, as well as the abundant bird and insect-life. Another treat in store will be a visit to Bodiam Castle - thought to be one of Britain's most romantic and beautiful moated castles. Lastly, a woodland walk will enable us to find many butterfly species, including White Admiral, Silver-washed Fritillary and Ringlets.
This is a 'Go Slow' holiday, therefore expect to arrive back at the hotel at around 4pm each day to enjoy the hotel facilities and some relaxation. No more than five miles will be walked on any day, and all walking will be at a slow pace, ensuring we focus on finding and enjoying the wildlife on offer.
- View Rye Harbour's bustling tern and gull colonies
- Small numbers of Little Terns
- Enjoy a relaxing canal cruise with cream tea included
- Visit both Bodiam and Camber Castles for a spot of history
- Stay at a charming spa hotel in superior double rooms
- A range of Odonata, butterflies and flora on this holiday
- Led by locally-based Naturetrek tour leaders
Outline Itinerary
Day 1
Arrive Flakeley Ash Hotel in Peasmarsh
Day 2/5
Explore Rye Bay, nearby woodlands, canals and historical sites such as Bodiam and Camber Castles
Reviews
Dates & Prices
2025
Departures
Availability
Cost
Mon 30th Jun – Fri 4th Jul
SPACES
£1,195
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£1,195
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£495
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The majority of our wildlife tours focus primarily on birds, allowing us to offer a huge choice of bird holidays. On most of our birdwatching tours we aim to see a wide variety of species, while taking time to enjoy other wildlife as well as cultural highlights and architecture.
Naturetrek Birdwatching Tours
We have one of the largest selections of professionally organised, small group birdwatching holidays around the world and all of our birdwatching tours are accompanied by at least one professional ornithologist leader with detailed knowledge of the area.
The majority of our bird tours have a relaxed, flexible approach which allows more time for photography, detailed wildlife exploration, leisure time and the region’s people, culture, history and architecture, while allowing the group to see a wide range of bird species.
Here is a small selection of our many bird holidays:
- Southern Morocco – an exploration of the birdlife in Morocco’s southern deserts, oases and mountains
- The Camargue in Spring – a short break to enjoy the spring birds of the Rhône Delta and Camargue wetland
- Wallcreepers & Cranes in Northern Spain – a 2-centre holiday focusing on Lammergeier, Wallcreepers, raptors, Cranes, bustards, sandgrouse and more!
- Madeira & Desertas Islands – A Seabird Extravaganza! – a short break focusing on special breeding seabirds, including a night on the remote Destertas Islands
- Peru – Macaws & Machu Picchu – searches for boobies, macaws and Inca Terns
- Spain & Morocco: Birding on Two Continents! – watch the spectacular spring bird migration from both sides of the Straits of Gibraltar
Our Bargain Birdwatching Selection
Our Bargain Bird Tours are intensive birdwatching holidays suitable for the serious birder. They are led by expert English-speaking local guides (and not accompanied from the UK by a tour leader). You can expect a higher-paced tour and to spend long hours in the field.
Our specialist recommends...
"Try Coto Doñana & Extremadura for an excellent introduction to Europe's wetland and steppe birds. I would recommend our bargain holiday, 'Nepal – A Birdwatching Tour' for those interested in Siberian rarities and Ibisbill, while Costa Rica offers a chance to search for arguably the world's most beautiful bird, the Resplendent Quetzal."
Byron Palacios - Tour Leader
Byron Palacios - Tour Leader
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Relaxed Wildlife Holidays
Our programme of Go Slow wildlife holidays allows guests to enjoy the natural world at a more leisurely pace than on one of our conventional wildlife holidays. There will be more time to relax, more time to potter, excursions will be optional and we hope you will return, not only having enjoyed a fascinating mix of birds, plants and other wildlife, but also feeling refreshed and relaxed!
Our Go Slow tours range from week-long holidays that offer warm spring sunshine and gentle natural history excursions in Portugal, the Camargue and Mallorca, to tours which take on a more cultural air each afternoon, such as Go Slow … in Istria in Autumn and Go Slow … in Southern Spain. Our Go Slow holidays in the Swiss Alps and Cyprus both combine the best of the region’s botany and birdlife, or, if you would like to travel a little further afield, why not join us for a leisurely-paced exploration of India’s Tiger Country, Kenya’s Masai Mara, or South Africa’s Western Cape?
What can I expect on a typical Naturetrek Go Slow holiday?
On each Go Slow holiday we aim to offer as many of the following as possible:
- A single-centre holiday
- Direct flights with sociable timings
- Comfortable hotel of high quality (with swimming pool if possible), serving meals of a high standard
- Leisurely paced walks on gentle terrain
- Expert leaders, as ever, with more time for interpretation & explanation
- A maximum of 6 hours in the field each day (9.30am-3.30pm with picnic lunch or two 3-hour excursions)
- Morning and afternoon toilet/comfort stops
- Minimal long drives
- Back in time for afternoon tea
- All excursions optional
- All-inclusive cost (except bar drinks & laundry)
- Time to relax, read, paint, potter, swim or enjoy anything else that you might wish to do!
Our specialist recommends...
"If you’re looking for wonderful wildlife and great hospitality at a slower, more relaxing pace, our Go Slow portfolio could be just right. Why not consider Go Slow … in Extremadura, based at Viña las Torres in the heart of the Extremadura countryside, to enjoy some of Europe’s top birdwatching? Or, for something more exotic, have a look at Go Slow … in Trinidad, which is based at the incomparable Asa Wright Centre.”
Andy Tucker - Operations Manager
Andy Tucker - Operations Manager
Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?
For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.
Enquire
Tour Reports
Why Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!
