Sladesgate Oval.

The forest at Sladesgate Oval is proper woodland - ancient trees, dappled light, and the kind of quiet that makes you forget Petworth is only a few miles south. It's not a manicured nature trail with interpretation boards; this is genuinely wild Sussex downland forest, the sort of place where you'll actually hear birdsong rather than tour groups.

Walkers will get the most from it. The terrain is forgiving enough for families with older kids, though younger ones might find it a touch dull unless they're into spotting wildlife and collecting sticks. Allow a couple of hours to properly explore without rushing. The forest feels best in autumn when the canopy drops its leaves and the woodland floor opens up beneath your feet.

It works brilliantly as a break from glamping at nearby Wakestone & Wild or the Graffham Camping and Caravanning Club Site. Neither will have the manicured walking routes of a country park, so manage expectations - you're here to wander, breathe in some forest air, and reset before heading back to your pitch. The undergrowth can get boggy after rain, so proper boots are worth the effort.

Freely accessible if you can find the entrance - information online is thin, so ask locally in Petworth for current access details. Worth the detour if you're already camping in the area and fancy somewhere that actually feels removed from everything.