Toreham Shaw

The forest floor here is thick with moss and fallen branches - proper woodland stuff that makes you feel like you've actually left the coast behind. Toreham Shaw is a genuine working forest rather than a manicured country estate, which means it's got character. You'll find yourself on soft paths between old oaks and conifers, the kind of place where the air smells like damp earth and pine needles. It's about fifteen minutes from Hastings, so close enough for a morning wander without it feeling like a tourist trap.

Walkers will get the most out of it. The trails aren't signposted like a country park, so you need to pay attention, but that's half the appeal - it feels like proper exploring. Families with restless kids might find thirty minutes enough before everyone's desperate for an ice cream, though older children who actually enjoy being outdoors will happily spend a couple of hours here. It's free to walk around, which is refreshing.

If you're staying at Winchelsea Sands Holiday Park down the coast, this makes a solid break from beach days without needing to drive far. The woodland's dense enough that it'll cool you down on hot afternoons, and there's something quietly satisfying about getting back to actual nature rather than another seaside town. Go when it's been dry for a few days - after heavy rain it becomes boots-essential mud.