Kiteye Wood

Kiteye Wood sits just inland from Bexhill-on-Sea, a proper Sussex woodland that doesn't get the crowds you'd find at some of the more famous forests in the region. It's a working forest rather than a manicured attraction - mixed woodland with decent walking paths that wind through oak, beech and conifers, offering a genuine sense of being away from the seaside promenade even though you're never far from the coast.

The appeal here is straightforward: decent woodland walks for people who want fresh air and space rather than facilities and visitor centres. You can wander for a couple of hours without much effort, and the trees offer decent shelter if the sea breeze gets a bit much. It's the sort of place where you might spot deer if you're lucky and keep quiet, though realistically you're after a bit of exercise and quiet rather than wildlife spotting.

Families with younger kids might find it a touch dull on its own - there's no playground infrastructure or marked trails with interpretation boards. But if you're staying at Normans Bay Camping and Caravanning Club Site four and a half miles away, it's a solid half-day walk to break up your trip without driving far. Worth combining with time at Bexhill itself rather than treating it as a destination in its own right. Allow two to three hours depending on which paths you take.