Eastbourne Rugby Football Club

The rugby club grounds in Eastbourne double as a proper nature reserve, which is rather lovely if you're after something different from the typical Sussex coastal experience. You'll find woodland walks threading through the site, with decent birdwatching opportunities - nothing earth-shattering, but solid stuff if you've got binoculars handy.

It's genuinely worth a visit if you're camping at Warren Wood Country Park just three miles away, or staying near Pevensey. The space works well for walkers wanting a quieter inland break from the seafront crowds. Kids will get something out of it - spotting birds, spotting trees, spotting whatever catches their eye - but this isn't a destination in itself. An hour, maybe ninety minutes maximum, then you'll want to move on.

The rugby club angle means you're essentially accessing a working sports facility's greenspace, so expect it to be functional rather than manicured. There's a real community feel to it, which beats the over-maintained nature reserves you sometimes find elsewhere.

Pevensey itself is just a short drive away if you need shops or somewhere to eat. The proximity to Warren Wood makes it ideal padding for a longer park holiday - a morning walk here, afternoon exploring the wider area. Check ahead about access, as opening hours and admission aren't always advertised clearly, but it's the sort of place that tends to be reasonably accessible to visitors.