Withy Bed

The forest floor at Withy Bed is thick with last season's leaves, still damp underfoot even weeks after rain. It's a proper working woodland just outside Chichester where the trees do their job quietly - no visitor centre, no signs begging for photos, just the real thing. You'll find a mix of hardwoods and conifers creating the kind of dappled light that makes walkers forget why they left home in the first place.

It's ideal for anyone who wants woodland without the crowds. Families with young kids will manage fine on the easier paths, though there are muddier stretches that need proper boots. History enthusiasts won't find much in the way of buildings or monuments - this is about the landscape itself, the way the land has been managed over centuries. Serious walkers can lose a good couple of hours here exploring the network of trails.

Getting here from Chichester takes about fifteen minutes by car. Once you've finished your walk, the nearby holiday parks like Bow Hill Farm (just 2.8 miles away) make logical bases if you're planning a longer stay in the area. Graffham Camping and Caravanning Club Site sits at 5.8 miles if you prefer more facilities. The woodland works best on weekday mornings before the lunch crowd, though frankly you're unlikely to see many people at all. Bring a map - the paths are decent but unmarked in places, and it's easy to end up turned around if you're not paying attention. Worth half a day easily, longer if you're the type who actually sits and listens to the birds.