Upper Wood

A proper woodland walk rather than a destination in itself, Upper Wood sits just outside Heathfield and delivers exactly what you'd want from a Sussex forest - tall trees, quiet paths, and the kind of silence you don't get in towns. The wood itself is unremarkable in the best way possible: there are no visitor facilities, no car park that I can find, and no interpretation boards telling you what everything is. You just walk.

Walkers will appreciate this most. It's not dramatic or Instagram-worthy, but it's the sort of place you potter about for an hour, listening for woodpeckers and noticing how the light filters through the canopy. Families with young kids might find it a bit dull after twenty minutes unless you're the sort of family that actually enjoys a ramble without a destination. History buffs won't find much to grab onto here.

If you're staying at Dernwood Farm Glamping or Horam Manor Country Park, both within a few miles, Upper Wood works as a morning outing before heading elsewhere. Combine it with the better-known attractions and prettier country parks in the area rather than making it your main event. The access situation is unclear - best check locally in Heathfield before you go, as Sussex woodland can be tricky about public rights of way.

It's free, obviously, and you can spend as little or as long as you like wandering about. Worth a visit if you're in the area and fancy some actual trees, but don't reroute your holiday for it.