Alms Wood

The woodland around Battle runs deeper and quieter than you'd expect for somewhere so close to town. Alms Wood is a proper forest walk rather than a manicured tourist spot - the sort of place where you'll actually hear birdsong instead of other people's conversations.

It's straightforward stuff: paths through beech and oak, plenty of green underfoot, the kind of walk that takes between 45 minutes and two hours depending on how lost you get and whether you stop to examine every moss-covered stump. Good for families with kids old enough to manage uneven ground without complaint, and genuinely excellent if you're after a quiet hour away from the Battle crowds.

The nearest town gives it its character - Battle's got the historical weight, but Alms Wood lets you breathe. You won't find a visitor centre or any facilities to speak of, so bring water and wear decent boots. There's no entrance fee that I'm aware of, which is refreshing.

If you're staying at one of the nearby campsites - Beech Estate or Horam Manor are both within five miles - this works as a morning or evening adventure without needing to drive far. It's not the sort of place that justifies a special trip on its own, but tucked into a longer Sussex walking holiday, it's absolutely worthwhile. The kind of woodland that reminds you why England's forests matter.