Ashes Wood

Walk into Ashes Wood and you're into proper Sussex woodland - the sort of place where the canopy gets thick enough that you lose the sky for a bit. It's a forest rather than a manicured nature reserve, which means plenty of fallen logs, uneven ground, and that genuine sense of being among trees rather than on a tour.

The wood sits just outside Battle, making it dead handy if you're staying at one of the local campsites like Beech Estate, which is less than a mile away. It's ideal for a morning wander before heading into town proper, or for burning off some energy if you're camping nearby. Kids who enjoy exploring and scrambling over bits of wood will get a kick out of it; those wanting a marked trail and a visitor centre might find it a touch too wild.

There's no entrance fee that we're aware of - it's the kind of woodland you simply walk into. Allow an hour for a decent poke around, longer if you're the type to stop and sit. Spring is lovely when the bluebells come through, but honestly any time when it's not waterlogged works.

It's a bit rough round the edges compared to managed parks, which is exactly why it works. You won't find facilities or signage, so come prepared with decent boots and a map or phone GPS. If you're doing a week on the Sussex campsites, this fits nicely into a half-day itinerary alongside a visit to Battle town itself.