Comphurst Wood

The woods around Pevensey are proper Sussex - dense, dark, and rewarding if you know where to look. Comphurst Wood is a straightforward forest walk through mature trees with enough space to actually breathe, unlike some of the more claustrophobic patches you find inland. The paths are reasonably well-trodden, the undergrowth manageable, and there's a genuine sense of being away from it all despite being just a few miles from the coast.

It's the sort of place walkers will actually enjoy rather than endure. No major hills, no scrambling, just a decent network of trails through proper woodland. Families with kids who can handle a couple of hours on their feet will find it works well - it's not exhausting, and there's enough ground to cover that boredom doesn't really set in. The forest itself does the heavy lifting; you don't need signposted attractions or information boards to justify the visit.

The main draw is honestly the escape. If you're based at Normans Bay Camping or Pevensey Bay Holiday Park for a week, this fills an afternoon properly. Combine it with a trip into Pevensey itself if the weather turns - the castle's just there - but come here for some actual woodland time. Spring and autumn are your best bets; summer gets muggy and damp underfoot, winter muddy but workable. Free access and no formal opening hours is the way these things should be run.