TL;DR – Best Family Photoshoot Locations in Sussex
- Buchan Country Park – A beautiful mix of lakes, meadows, and woodland trails, with free parking, toilets, and a café for post-shoot treats.
- RSPB Pulborough Brooks – Stunning year-round scenery with tall pines and heather meadows, though parking is paid.
- Goring-by-Sea Beach – A perfect seaside setting with golden-hour lighting, best for evening shoots to avoid crowds.
- Sullington Warren – A peaceful woodland with open spaces for kids to explore, though limited facilities.
- Your Home – A stress-free, no-travel option perfect for capturing authentic family moments.
Each location offers unique backdrops and a family-friendly environment to make your photoshoot relaxed and memorable!
Family Photoshoot Locations In Sussex
There are many wonderful options to choose from when searching for the perfect family photoshoot location in Sussex.
We are lucky to be surrounded by an abundance of natural areas with forests, lakes, meadows, and rolling hills, all nestled in South East of England.
I’ve narrowed my favourite list of my current top 5 places to shoot based on a number of factors, including picturesque backdrops for your family photography session and how family-friendly the locations are when you visit.
What Makes A Great Sussex Family Photoshoot Location?
Accessibility
As a parent, I know the struggle of leaving the house with kids, so you won’t want to endure a hike with them in tow when you arrive. Most of the locations listed below are right next to where we take photos or involve only a short walk from the car park.
Safety
The location should be child friendly. You’ll want to let your children run around and have fun without the stress of a busy road, steep terrain or a bog nearby. A family-friendly environment allows you all to relax and enjoy your time together.
Facilities
The shoot location ideally should have family-friendly toilets available. When nature inevitably calls, you’ll be glad there’s one close by. There are also bonus points given if there’s a cafe nearby for an after-shoot coffee/treat.
Privacy
It’s important to select a location that provides adequate privacy. This may involve scheduling the session during a time when the area is less crowded, increasing the likelihood of minimal foot traffic. By avoiding the presence of onlookers, you and your loved ones can fully relax and enjoy the photo session without any distractions or interruptions.
Best West Sussex Family Portrait Locations
Let’s jump into my favourite West Sussex family photoshoot locations.
Buchan Country Park
Free Parking
Toilets
Cafe
Easy Accessibility
Located just outside of Crawley, West Sussex, this country park is set over 170 acres and boasts a lake, grassy meadow and woodland trails that meander around the grounds. An ideal location for the kids to explore and makes a stunning backdrop for family photos. There are also good facilities on site and picnic sites for the inevitable snack break, and the trails are quite buggy-friendly.
Buchan Country Park
Horsham Rd, Crawley RH11 9HQ
RSPB Pulborough Brooks
Paid Parking
Toilets
Cafe / Food
Fair Accessibility
Located right next to the RSPB site between Pulborough and Storrington, this area offers stunning backdrops for family photos all year. I love the golden brown colour the bracken changes to in the autumn. With an avenue lined with tall pine trees and heather-covered meadows, it’s a popular option for families of all ages.
RSPB Pulborough Brooks
Wiggonholt, Pulborough RH20 2EL
Goring-By-Sea Beach
Paid Parking
Toilets
Cafe / Food
Fair Accessibility
Goring-by-Sea Beach and, equally, West Beach at Littlehampton are lovely locations for a family looking for a beach family photoshoot. Timing is key to minimising visiting when the beaches are busy. We’ll typically schedule your portrait shoot for later in the day to avoid the crowds, and the sun is lower in the sky, creating stunning golden wrap-around lighting. Depending on the time of year and how brave you and the kids are feeling, you can get your toes wet and make a splash (towels are essential!)
Goring-By-Sea Beach
Marine Cres, Goring-by-Sea, Worthing BN12 4HR
Sullington Warren
Free Parking
No Toilets
Limited Accessibility
Located next to Storrington, this 61-acre site offers woodland trails that wind through areas of heathland and grassland that are stunning to visit earlier or later in the day as the light is soft and gorgeous. There’s a large open area in the centre for the kids/dog to charge around, and is ideal for a mid-session break for snacks and a drink.
Sullington Warren
Storrington, Pulborough RH20 3NR
Bonus Suggestion – Your Home
No Travel
Toilets
Self Service
Perfect for newborns
One of the big bonuses of an at-home family portrait session is that there’s no travel involved. No battle to get the kids in the car; that’s a big win!
It’s also the perfect opportunity to document you all as you are at this time in your life. Adventuring in the garden, practising the violin, baking a batch of cookies and drawing fire-breathing lamas is all part of family life that needs capturing.
Let’s plan a portrait session at your favourite location
