Mewsbrook Park

A lakeside park between Littlehampton and Rustington

Mewsbrook Park sits on the boundary between Littlehampton and Rustington, a green oasis between the built-up areas of the two communities. The park is centred on a boating lake that provides the visual focus and the main attraction for visitors, surrounded by lawns, flower beds, mature trees and the paths that connect the various areas of the park.

The boating lake is the park's defining feature, a man-made lake that was created as part of the park's original design. Pedalos and small boats are available for hire during the summer months, providing gentle amusement for families and couples. The lake also supports a resident population of ducks, geese, swans and moorhens, and feeding the birds is a favourite activity for young children, though bread is discouraged in favour of seed and grain that is better for the birds' health.

The park's gardens include formal planting beds that are maintained by the council and provide seasonal colour throughout the year. Spring bulbs, summer bedding, autumn colour and winter structure ensure that the park has visual interest in every season. The tree collection includes mature specimens that provide shade in summer and attractive silhouettes in winter, and the mixture of native and ornamental species creates a varied and interesting landscape.

A children's play area within the park provides climbing frames, swings, slides and other play equipment for children of different ages. The play area is well maintained and fenced, providing a safe environment for supervised play. The combination of the play area, the lake, the open spaces for ball games and the paths for walking and cycling makes Mewsbrook Park one of the most popular family destinations in the area.

The Mewsbrook Park cafe serves drinks, snacks and light meals, providing a stopping point for walkers, dog owners and parents supervising children in the play area. The cafe's outdoor seating overlooks the lake, and on a sunny afternoon the tables fill with people enjoying the combination of fresh air, refreshment and the view across the water.

The park is freely accessible at all times, with no admission charge. Parking is available nearby, and the park is within walking distance of both Littlehampton and Rustington town centres. The coastal path runs close to the park, and it is easily incorporated into a longer walk along the seafront. For dog walkers, the park provides a pleasant and varied environment, with both open areas for running and paths for on-lead walking. Dogs should be kept under control near the lake and the wildlife areas.

The park is managed by Arun District Council, which maintains the grounds, the buildings and the infrastructure. Community volunteer groups also contribute to the park's upkeep, with periodic planting sessions, litter picks and maintenance days that bring residents together in shared stewardship of the green space.

The park also hosts occasional events throughout the year, including charity fun runs, community picnics, and seasonal activities such as Easter egg hunts and Halloween trails. These events bring additional visitors to the park and contribute to its role as a community gathering place. The park's proximity to the coast means that a visit can easily be combined with a walk along the seafront, creating a varied outing that takes in both green space and seaside.