Birchett Copse

This small woodland near Dorking is the sort of place you stumble upon rather than plan for. Birchett Copse sits quietly off the beaten track, offering a proper slice of Sussex forest without the crowds you'd find at bigger beauty spots. The trees are dense enough to feel like you've actually escaped somewhere, even though you're barely five miles from Dorking.

It's woodland walking territory, pure and simple. There are paths threading through, though nothing particularly dramatic or long - most people will cover it in under an hour. The appeal is understated: dappled light through the canopy, the occasional stream, and the genuine peace of being among old trees. No visitor centre, no facilities, no faffing about.

Walkers will get the most from this one, particularly those doing a wider loop through the area. Families with young kids might find it a bit thin on entertainment after half an hour - there's no play areas or obvious landmarks to hunt for. But if you're staying at Gatwick Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite nearby and want a proper woodland leg-stretch without driving far, it does the job well.

The main thing to know is it's genuinely free and genuinely quiet. No information boards, no admission charges. Turn up, walk about, enjoy the trees. It's the kind of place that rewards people who like simple woodland without the visitor experience wrapped round it.