Wildham Wood

The woodland around Chichester isn't dramatic or famous, but Wildham Wood delivers exactly what you want from a Sussex forest walk - proper shade, manageable paths, and the sort of quiet that makes you realise how rarely you get it. The trees crowd in thick enough that you lose sight of the surrounding farmland, though there's nothing particularly ancient or gnarled about the place. It's working woodland, essentially, not a heritage site.

You're looking at an hour to ninety minutes max if you move at a gentle pace. The terrain's straightforward - nothing that'll tire young legs unduly, but it's also not dramatic enough to hold fidgety children's attention all afternoon. Better for a proper walk than a ramble.

This works well as a morning stop if you're based at Bow Hill Farm, just down the road. The caravan site puts you perfectly for combining a woodland stretch with exploring Chichester's market town centre and the South Downs beyond. In summer the trees are useful for getting out of the heat; autumn's better for light, though, when the canopy thins and you can actually see where you're going.

Free access as far as I can tell, no facilities on site. Bring water. The nearest proper facilities are back in Chichester. It's the kind of place that rewards a visit if you're already in the area rather than somewhere to plan a day around - solid, unspectacular, and honest.