Brookwood

The woods around Brookwood, just outside Hastings, are proper Sussex through and through - dense, quiet, and exactly the sort of place where you half-expect to bump into a badger. It's forest walking territory, the kind where you can actually hear yourself think without screaming seagulls or arcade machines in the background.

What you get here is straightforward: tree-lined paths that wind through the woodland, plenty of shade, and enough space to lose yourself for an hour or two without needing a map. There's something about Sussex forests that feels properly ancient - even when they're not. The canopy is thick enough that it stays reasonably cool even on warm days, which matters more than you'd think when you're camping nearby at Beaulieu Farm or Crowhurst Park.

It's not a destination attraction with car parks and visitor centres. This is a walk-in forest, so come prepared with decent shoes and water. Families with young kids will manage fine for an hour - older children who actually like walking will get far more from it. History buffs might find local significance, though there's no interpretation boards that I spotted. Best visited early morning or late afternoon when it's quieter, and absolutely worth the detour if you're staying at any of the holiday parks dotted within a few miles.

The real value is that it breaks up a seaside holiday perfectly. Hastings itself can feel relentless. Brookwood gives you breathing room - proper forest air, bird noise, and the kind of silence you can't find on the front.