Forest Way Country Park - East Grinstead

The old railway line from East Grinstead down to Lingfield has been given a second life as a walking and cycling trail that actually feels like you've stumbled onto something proper. Forest Way Country Park runs for about six miles through woodland, and the best bit is you get that gentle gradient the railways always had - no brutal climbs, just easy going underfoot.

You'll spend most of the walk under tree cover, which is lovely when the sun's beating down. The path itself is well-maintained and wide enough for families to walk side by side without feeling crowded. The real appeal here is simplicity. There are no visitor centres, no gift shops, no Instagram backdrops. It's just trees, the sound of birds, and the occasional glimpse of Surrey countryside opening up between the branches.

Walkers will get the most from this - particularly anyone who wants a proper route without the scramble and effort of proper hill walking. Families with younger kids can do a section rather than the whole thing. Cyclists are welcome, though you'll share the path with pedestrians.

Allowing an hour to ninety minutes for a decent chunk of it is sensible, depending on pace and whether you're stopping to identify birds. There's no entry fee that we're aware of, and it's open year-round, though autumn is when the canopy really shows off.

If you're staying at Hook Farm Campsite or the glamping at Long Acres - both within four miles - this makes an easy morning out before heading elsewhere in the area. It's not dramatic, but it's solid.