Doddlis Plantation

The woodland at Doddlis sits just north of Hassocks, a proper working forest rather than a manicured country estate. You're walking through mature trees on quiet paths, the kind of place where you actually hear birdsong instead of your own footsteps echoing off gravel.

It's dense in places, open in others. There's no visitor centre or tea shop - this is genuine woodland, which is either exactly what you want or not what you want at all. Families with young children will find it engaging for a couple of hours; the paths are manageable and there's enough variety to keep legs moving without needing a route map. Walkers after proper footwork will appreciate the terrain without feeling challenged. History buffs get less out of it than they might elsewhere in Sussex, though the forest itself has stood for centuries.

The nearest town is Hassocks, about five minutes' drive, which means if you're staying at Downsview Park - the holiday base close by - you've got a solid wood walk without travelling far. It pairs well with exploring the South Downs on the same day; you can easily combine a forest wander with longer ridge walks if you're making a day of it.

Allow 90 minutes to two hours to do it justice. Go on a weekday morning if you can - weekends draw a bit of a crowd, and the place feels better when it's quieter. Free to enter, no facilities to speak of, so bring water.