Benland Wood

Walking into Benland Wood near Horsham, you're immediately surrounded by dense trees and the kind of quiet that makes you forget about the A-roads nearby. It's a proper woodland experience - ancient oaks, winding paths, and enough shade to keep things cool even on warm days. The forest floor is thick with leaf litter, and you'll spot all sorts of woodland life if you're patient: deer, birds, the occasional fox slinking between the trees.

This place suits walkers far more than casual strollers. There's no visitor centre, no café, no facilities to speak of - it's just you, the woodland, and whatever route you choose to take. Bring proper boots; after rain the paths can get boggy and slippery. Allow anything from 45 minutes for a quick loop to two hours if you're planning to explore deeper into the forest.

If you're based at Sumners Ponds Fishery & Campsite or Raylands Country Park - both just under five miles away - Benland Wood makes an excellent morning or afternoon venture. It's less touristy than some of Sussex's more famous beauty spots, which means you won't be dodging crowds, though that also means it can feel a touch isolating if solitude isn't your thing.

Historically, these woods were part of the wider Wealden forest. Today they're managed for timber and conservation, which keeps them in decent condition. Families with young children might find the lack of attractions a bit thin, but older kids who enjoy being outdoors will get plenty from it.