Scout Campsite

The Scout Campsite near Patching is a working forest camp, so access isn't guaranteed year-round - it's primarily active during school holidays and weekends when Scout groups are using it. Worth checking ahead before you head out, as you might find the gates closed to casual visitors.

When it is open to the public, you're looking at woodland paths and open clearings that feel properly removed from the Sussex suburbs. It's the sort of place where kids who've grown up on screen time suddenly remember how to climb trees and build dens. The forest canopy provides shelter on drizzly days - and let's be honest, this is Sussex - while the clearings offer decent space for picnics or just lying about on the grass.

This works best as an add-on to a longer walk rather than a destination in itself. You won't be here for hours unless your family is genuinely into den-building and foraging. It's free, which is lovely, though again, check opening status first.

If you're camped at Fox Wood Campsite just half a mile away, or any of the nearby caravan parks like Onslow or Brook Lane, the Scout Campsite makes for a pleasant morning walk without needing to load everyone back in the car. It's that useful local spot that breaks up a week of proper tourist attractions. Don't expect visitor facilities - bring what you need.