Selwyns Wood

Walking into Selwyns Wood near Heathfield is like stepping into proper old Sussex woodland - the kind where you half expect to bump into a forester from three centuries back. It's a working forest rather than some manicured nature reserve, which means you get the real thing: dense trees, proper muddy paths, and the occasional surprise of a clearing that opens up suddenly through the canopy.

The wood itself is manageable for a family half-day rather than an all-day mission. You can wander the paths without needing serious hiking boots, though waterproof ones are sensible if it's been wet. Kids will enjoy the sense of being properly lost in the trees, spotting wildlife if you're quiet about it, and the forest floor is soft enough that little legs don't complain too much. The real appeal is the peace - you won't fight crowds here like you would at some of the better-known Sussex spots.

It works well alongside a stay at one of the nearby campsites. Dernwood Farm Glamping is barely two miles away, making this an easy morning walk before breakfast or a late afternoon potter. If you're based at Horam Manor Country Park or Hale Farm Campsite, you've got something genuinely free and unspoilt within easy reach - no entrance fees, no visitor centre, just woodland. Go when the light's good, either early morning or late afternoon, and you'll understand why locals keep this place quiet.