Jays Copse

A proper walk through dense woodland, Jays Copse sits just outside Petworth and delivers the kind of forest experience that feels genuinely removed from the world. The canopy here is thick enough that even on bright days you're walking in dappled shadow, with the floor soft underfoot and quiet enough to hear birds actually doing their thing rather than just assuming they're there.

It's the sort of place where you'll lose track of time without trying. The paths wind through stands of older trees, and there's no real "attraction" in the theme-park sense - no cafe, no visitor centre, no rope bridges. Just woods, honestly, which is exactly why it works. Families with primary-school-age children will get a solid hour out of it; younger kids might tire sooner on uneven ground. Serious walkers could spend half a day exploring if they fancy linking it with other routes in the area.

Bring decent footwear - it gets boggy after rain - and don't expect marked trails to be obvious. That's part of its appeal, though it does mean you want to know roughly where you're going. The nearest town of Petworth is close enough for supplies but far enough away that Jays Copse feels like proper escape.

If you're staying at Little Cowdray Farm Glamping or Glamping Holiday nearby, this slot between breakfast and lunch perfectly. It's the kind of woodland walk that justifies a glamping trip on its own, especially if you're after somewhere to clear your head rather than tick off Instagram spots.