Badland Wood

You'll find Badland Wood sitting just outside Pulborough, a proper slice of Sussex woodland that doesn't demand much fanfare but rewards a walk through nonetheless. It's the sort of place where you can lose an hour without trying - dense enough to feel like you've escaped somewhere, but small enough that you won't spend all afternoon navigating. The woodland floor is thick with undergrowth and the canopy does its job well, especially on those bright days when the shade becomes genuinely welcome.

Walkers will get the most from this one. It's not a destination that screams family entertainment - there are no play areas or visitor facilities, just trees, paths and the occasional shaft of light through the leaves. That's rather the point. If you're staying at one of the nearby sites like Woodfire at Westerlands or Graffham Camping and Caravanning Club, it's close enough for an afternoon escape without the drive. Bring proper boots though; the ground can be boggy depending on recent weather.

Timing-wise, allow 45 minutes to an hour unless you're the type to stop and identify every bird call. Spring is decent for bluebells if you time it right, and autumn brings that pleasant musty smell of decaying leaves. Winter's fine too if you don't mind mud.

It's free and accessible, though information online is thin on the ground - just turn up and have a poke around. Not essential if you're in the area, but if you're based at one of the holiday parks nearby, it's the sort of woodland walk that justifies the short drive without any fuss.