Great Wood

You won't find gift shops or visitor centres at Great Wood - just 140 acres of proper Sussex woodland where you can actually breathe without bumping into crowds. The forest sits just inland from Brighton, making it an obvious escape for anyone camped at Blackberry Wood or Southdown Way who fancies a proper walk without driving halfway across the county.

The trees here are thick and varied - beech, oak, and pine creating that dappled light that makes even mediocre phone photos look atmospheric. There are several routes through, ranging from easy potter-abouts to longer circuits, and the woodland floor is mostly forgiving underfoot. Wildlife-spotters often do well here, and if you time it right you'll have the place virtually to yourself.

Walkers get the most from Great Wood, though families with older kids find it decent for a couple of hours. Younger children might lose interest quickly - there's no playground, no open meadow, just miles of trees. Spring and autumn are genuinely lovely, though summer can feel a bit claustrophobic and muddy.

It's free to access and there's no formal opening hours, which means you can pop in first thing or at dusk. Park up at the edges and go from there. If you're staying at Foot of the Downs or any of the local sites, factor in an hour or two here alongside the South Downs walks - it's the antidote to downland rambles, something altogether quieter and more intimate.