Highfield Wood

Dark pines and birch trees crowd together in Highfield Wood, creating that special kind of quiet you only get deep in a forest. It's proper woodland - the sort where you half expect to stumble across a badger sett or find yourself genuinely turned around if you're not paying attention to the paths.

The wood sits just inland from Bexhill-on-Sea, making it an easy escape if the seaside crowds get too much. There are decent walking trails threading through, nothing too strenuous, though the ground can be boggy after rain so decent boots help. You're looking at anything from a quick forty-minute loop to a couple of hours if you want to really explore the deeper sections.

It's the sort of place that works well for families with kids old enough to walk without constant carrying - they'll enjoy hunting for woodland wildlife and clambering over fallen logs. History buffs won't find marked ruins or information boards, but the woodland itself tells a story if you know how to read it. Serious walkers might find it a bit tame compared to the Downs further inland, but it's lovely for a morning before heading to Pevensey Bay Holiday Park for lunch.

Bring a map or download offline routes before you go - mobile signal can be patchy. Free to access, and there's room to park nearby, though it fills up on sunny weekends. Best visited midweek or early morning to avoid the school run crowd.