Beelzebub Oak

The gnarled trunk of Beelzebub Oak rises from the Sussex countryside near Petworth like something out of a fairy tale gone dark. This ancient tree has stood for centuries, its twisted wood a monument to time itself. The name comes from local legend - though the exact origins are pleasingly murky, the sort of folklore that's been embellished at village pubs for generations.

It's a quick stop rather than a destination unto itself. You'll want to allow 20 minutes or so, maybe half an hour if you're the type to sit on the grass and stare at something properly old. The tree sits in open country, accessible on foot from Petworth, and it rewards a visit most in late autumn when the light goes thin and the gnarled branches show their age most dramatically.

This is one for the history-minded and anyone who appreciates the quiet drama of an ancient landscape. Kids might find it a bit underwhelming unless they're already into the old-growth-tree thing - it's not exactly interactive. Walkers will find it a logical waypoint on a longer ramble through the South Downs.

If you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Wakestone & Wild Glamping or Graffham Camping are both proper options - Beelzebub Oak makes an easy afternoon detour. Pair it with a wander round Petworth House if the weather's decent, or simply use it as an excuse to get off the main path and explore the lanes. No admission fee, no faffing about with opening times. Just you and several hundred years of knotted wood.