Crump's Wood

A proper woodland walk through Sussex countryside, Crump's Wood offers the sort of quiet forest ramble you'll struggle to find anywhere near Lewes these days. It's dense woodland - beech, oak, the usual suspects - with enough elevation to make your legs work without being a genuine slog. The paths are decent enough, though you'll want boots after rain because it gets boggy in patches.

This is walker territory, frankly. There's no visitor centre, no gift shop, no facilities worth mentioning - just trees and trails. You're looking at anywhere from forty minutes to two hours depending on which route you fancy and how often you stop to sit on a fallen log. Families with young kids might find it bit relentless unless they're the outdoorsy sort, but teenagers who aren't glued to their phones will get on fine here.

The wood works brilliantly as a break between nearby campsites. Dernwood Farm and Hale Farm are both within striking distance, and if you're based at The Secret Campsite or Golden Cross, Crump's Wood makes a solid half-day activity before heading back for an evening meal. Admission is free - you just turn up and walk. Best visited on a crisp autumn morning when the light filters through properly, or spring when things are starting again. Summer can be a bit airless in there.

It's the sort of place you'd recommend to someone who wants the forest without the crowds, not the sort of place you'd drive hours to see. But if you're in the area anyway, absolutely worth an hour of your time.