Sansomes Copse

A proper woodland walk rather than a destination in itself, Sansomes Copse sits just outside Horsham and offers the kind of quiet forest experience that Surrey does well when you know where to look. The paths wind through mixed woodland - nothing dramatic, just mature trees, dappled light, and the occasional clearing where you can actually hear birdsong instead of the A-road rumble.

It's ideal for families who want a gentle hour-long ramble without the crowds you'd hit at somewhere more famous. Walkers will appreciate the network of interconnected tracks that link to the wider footpath system around the area. The canopy does proper work in summer, keeping things cool on warm days, and winter walks here are equally pleasant when the ground isn't waterlogged.

Realistically, allow 45 minutes to an hour depending on how far you venture in. There's no visitor centre, no facilities that I'm aware of, and no charge to access it - it's simply a working woodland you can walk through. The nearest town, Horsham, sits just a short drive away, so if you're based at one of the caravan sites like Riverside Farm or Sussex Topiary nearby, this is a handy woodland option to break up a holiday without needing to venture far.

It won't blow your mind. It's not dramatic or unusual. But if you want a genuine bit of Surrey forest without the theatre, this delivers exactly that.