Compton Wood

The woods around Newhaven aren't what most people picture when they think of Sussex - there's a scrappier, more authentic feel to Compton Wood than some of the showier countryside attractions inland. You're walking through proper working forest here, not a manicured nature reserve, which means fallen logs, muddy patches, and the occasional surprising view down towards the coast.

It's a solid spot for a two-hour walk if you're staying at Golden Cross Holiday Park or Hale Farm Campsite nearby. Families with reasonably fit kids will manage fine, though it's not a destination that'll keep under-fives entertained for long - there's no play area, just woodland. Walkers actually get the most out of it, especially on a grey morning when the trees feel properly atmospheric.

The paths meander through mixed woodland, and you'll stumble across sections where the canopy opens up enough to remind you the coast is close by. It's free to access, which is the only sensible way to experience a local wood. No visitor centre, no facilities worth mentioning - just turn up, park nearby, and crack on.

Worth combining with other walks in the area rather than making a special trip, but if you're based at one of the holiday parks for a week, this beats a third day at the beach when the weather's marginal. Go early to avoid the weekend crowd, though even then it's never rammed.