Clair Park

The moment you step into Clair Park, you're somewhere genuinely quiet. This nature reserve sits just outside Haywards Heath and feels properly removed from the bustle - which is exactly the point of it. You get woodland paths, open grassland, and if you're lucky with timing, decent bird watching. It's the sort of place where you actually hear yourself think.

Walkers will get the most from it. This isn't a manicured attraction with visitor centres and gift shops - it's a real reserve where you come to move around and observe things. Bring binoculars if you're into birds. Families with younger kids might find an hour enough before the paths lose their appeal, but if your lot are keen on nature or you're the type to sit on a bench with a flask for a while, you could easily spend half a day here.

The reserve works well as a pocket-sized break during a Sussex camping holiday. It's close enough to Wild Boar Wood Campsite and Sunset Tree Camping that you could visit mid-morning or late afternoon without it eating into your day. Worth Forest Glamping and Hook Farm Campsite are similarly convenient for a visit.

One fair warning: the website information is patchy, so ring ahead about opening times and facilities before you go. Free access is likely, but best to confirm. The paths can get muddy after rain, so decent footwear matters.