Winham Coppice

A proper Sussex woodland, Winham Coppice sits just outside Hailsham and delivers exactly what you'd want from a forest walk - dense trees, quiet paths, and the kind of dappled light that makes you forget about the A22 for a while. It's ancient coppice woodland, the sort that's been managed for centuries, so you get that sense of history underfoot even if there's no visitor centre or interpretation boards to spell it out.

The main appeal here is straightforward: walking. This is where you come to stretch your legs properly, not to queue for attractions or buy overpriced ice creams. The paths wind through mixed woodland and you'll spot the classic signs of old coppicing - those multi-stemmed trees that tell you humans have been managing this land for ages. Allow a couple of hours minimum if you want to do it justice, longer if you're the type who stops to listen to birds.

Families with older kids will get on fine; younger ones might find it a bit samey after 45 minutes unless they're into bug-hunting or den-building. It's genuinely free and you can just turn up - there's no faffing about with tickets or opening hours that I'm aware of. If you're staying at Golden Cross Holiday Park or Hale Farm Campsite nearby, this makes a cracking morning or afternoon outing. Pair it with a walk around Warren Wood Country Park for a proper day out in the woods. The Ashdown Forest isn't far either if you want something with more views and open heath.