Magpie Wood

A proper Sussex woodland walk, Magpie Wood sits just outside Crawley and delivers the sort of forest ramble you'd want after a few days at a caravan park. The trees here are thick enough to feel properly away from it all, even though you're barely a mile from the town boundary. Paths wind through mixed woodland - oak, beech, and the usual Sussex understory - with enough variation to keep it interesting for a couple of hours.

It's walkers' territory, genuinely. The sort of place where you show up in decent boots and follow the trails without needing a map, though the ground can be boggy after rain. Families with primary-age kids will manage fine on the main paths; teenagers might find it a bit samey unless they're the type who actually enjoy being outdoors. History buffs won't find much here - this is woodland for woodland's sake, not a heritage site dressed up as nature.

If you're based at Gatwick Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite down the road, Magpie Wood makes a straightforward morning or afternoon slot. The five-star glamping spots at Worth Forest and Sunset Tree Camping are a bit further out but still within easy striking distance if you're exploring the wider area. Allow 90 minutes to two hours depending on how many wrong turns you take and whether you actually stop to listen to the quiet for a bit. Free to access, no facilities on site, so bring water if you're there in summer.