Sparrow Copse

A proper woodland walk through Sussex countryside, Sparrow Copse sits just outside Cranleigh and delivers the sort of quiet forest ramble you'd half-forgotten existed. The trees are thick enough that you lose the road noise within minutes, and in spring the floor comes alive with bluebells - genuinely stop-you-in-your-tracks stuff.

It's not a destination with facilities or marked trails, so come prepared. This is somewhere to wander rather than follow a set route, which works brilliantly if you're after an hour or two of genuine peace. The canopy is dense enough to keep things cool even on warm days, and the paths are mostly straightforward underfoot, though muddy patches appear after rain.

Walkers will find it worthwhile, particularly those camping at nearby Slinfold who fancy escaping the caravan for a proper stretch of legs. You won't need more than ninety minutes unless you're the type to sit on logs and read books - which, to be fair, many people do here. Families with young children get the most from it in spring and early summer when there's stuff to spot and the light's still good at dusk.

The real value is proximity and solitude. Within six miles of Cranleigh yet feeling completely removed from it, Sparrow Copse works well as part of a bigger Sussex walking circuit rather than a standalone trip. Go early on weekends to avoid the afternoon dog-walker crowds.