Tilebarn Wood

You'll find yourself walking into proper old-growth woodland just outside Hassocks, where the canopy gets so thick you might need to wait for your eyes to adjust. Tilebarn Wood is the sort of place where you forget there's a town five minutes down the road - all you get is the sound of leaves underfoot and the occasional bird that can't be bothered to move out of your way.

It's genuinely worth the walk if you're the type who finds a decent forest more appealing than another museum. The paths are manageable enough for families with kids old enough to manage uneven ground, though it's not a place for buggies. Most people spend an hour here without feeling rushed, though you could stretch it to two if you're properly pottering about.

The woodland itself doesn't do anything fancy - no viewpoints or information boards, just trees and time - which is exactly why some folk love it. Others might find it a bit samey after a while. There's no facilities that I could spot, so bring water if you're planning a proper wander.

If you're camping at Wild Boar Wood just down the road, this is a convenient early morning or late afternoon escape without having to drive anywhere. It's the kind of place that works best if you're actually based nearby rather than as a special trip in itself. But if you are local, it's a genuinely decent patch of woodland to get lost in.