Bridges Wood

A proper woodland walk, this one. Bridges Wood sits just outside Haywards Heath and offers the kind of Sussex forest you'd want if you weren't after anything too wild or demanding. The trees run thick enough to feel like an actual escape, and the paths are straightforward enough that you won't need a map or special navigation skills.

What you're looking at is a mixed woodland - the sort of place where you'll spot beech and oak doing their thing, and if you're lucky, the odd deer slipping between the trees. There are a few established routes through here, ranging from fifteen minutes to a leisurely hour depending on your pace and how often you stop to look around. It's walker territory first, families with young kids second - the terrain is manageable but not flat, so it'll be a bit much for very small legs.

The nearest campsite is Gatwick Caravan and Motorhome Club, about three miles away, though worth noting the reviews are middling at best. If you're willing to stretch to five miles, Worth Forest Glamping is the much better shout - proper five-star outfit that makes a decent base for exploring the area.

Bring sensible shoes rather than trainers; the ground gets boggy after rain. Free access as far as I can tell, and there's no obvious entrance fee or booking required. Early morning or late afternoon gives you the best light and the fewest people.