Moneypenny Wood

The woods near Hastings aren't famous, which is precisely why Moneypenny Wood works so well. Tucked into Sussex's quieter corner, it's the sort of place locals know about and tourists miss entirely - all dense coppice, damp earth underfoot, and the kind of peace you don't get on the high street.

What you're actually doing is walking. There are proper woodland paths threading through here, nothing too demanding, just genuine forest floor stuff with beech and oak overhead. Bring wellies if it's been wet; the ground stays boggy even days after rain. Most people spend an hour or two pottering around, though you can make it longer if you fancy exploring deeper into the tangle of paths. It's free, naturally.

Families with mid-range walkers will get something out of this - kids enjoy scrambling over fallen branches and hunting for toadstools - but it's not a destination in itself. History types won't find much here beyond the landscape itself. The real draw is the simplicity of it.

If you're staying at Winchelsea Sands Holiday Park just 3.7 miles away, or Rye Harbour to the south, Moneypenny Wood is a solid half-morning activity before heading into Hastings proper. Go early or late in the day to avoid what little foot traffic there is. No facilities, no shops, no drama. Just forest.