Arlington Reservoir

Water stretches out across the Sussex Weald in a way that catches you off guard if you're coming from Hailsham expecting typical downland. Arlington Reservoir is a proper working water supply, not some manicured leisure destination, which actually makes it more interesting. The walking routes around the perimeter give decent views across the water, and on a clear day you can see why the Victorians bothered damming this valley in the first place.

It's walkers and birdwatchers who'll get the most from it. The paths are straightforward enough for families, though there's not much else to do once you've done a lap - no café, no picnic area as such. Allow an hour, maybe ninety minutes if you're taking binoculars and actually identifying things. The reservoir can feel a bit bleak in winter, if I'm honest, but spring and autumn are when the birds show up properly.

If you're based at Golden Cross Holiday Park or Warren Wood just up the road, this works as a morning walk to shake the stiffness out before doing something else. It's free, naturally, and there are reasonable spots to park near the dam. The water's cold and uninviting - don't expect swimming - but the walk itself is solid enough to justify a visit if you're in the area camping or caravanning. Not a destination in its own right, but a useful half-day that fits nicely into a Sussex holiday.