Battle Area Sports Centre

Battle Area Sports Centre sits right in the heart of Battle, Sussex - a proper sports facility that's got everything from tennis courts to a swimming pool. It's the sort of place where families can actually spend a full afternoon without the kids getting restless. The indoor pool is decent for a rainy day, and if anyone in your party fancies a game of tennis or badminton, they've got courts available. There's also a gym if you're the type who can't go a week without lifting weights on holiday.

It works brilliantly if you're staying at one of the nearby campsites - Beech Estate is barely a mile and a half away, and Seven Acre Woods just four and a half miles down the road. Both five-star rated, so you'll be sorted for accommodation. The centre appeals most to active families rather than culture seekers. Kids who like swimming or tennis will find it worthwhile; history buffs visiting Battle Abbey might want to skip this and head straight there instead.

I'd suggest ringing ahead to check current opening hours and admission prices - the website's a bit thin on details. Allow a couple of hours if you're doing the pool and a court session. Summer weekends get busy with school groups, so midweek mornings are your best bet for a quiet session. It's not fancy, but it does what it says on the tin and beats being cooped up in a caravan if the weather turns.