Friends Clump

A dense woodland patch just outside Haywards Heath, Friends Clump is the sort of place locals know about and visitors stumble into by accident - which is precisely when it works best. It's not dramatic or famous, just a proper bit of Sussex forest where you can actually lose yourself for an hour without worrying about crowds.

The trees are thick enough that even on a busy day it feels quiet. There are informal paths threading through, though nothing marked or maintained to death. Bring decent boots - it gets boggy - and you'll find yourself among oak and beech, with the occasional clearing where light actually reaches the forest floor.

It's ideal for walkers wanting something genuine rather than manicured. Kids will enjoy the muddy scramble aspect, though under-fives might find it a bit samey after 45 minutes. History buffs will get less from it than from a proper heritage site, but there's something about old woodland that appeals to certain types.

The real draw is combining this with a stay at one of the nearby campsites - Wild Boar Wood or Hook Farm are both rated highly and close enough for a morning ramble. You're looking at 90 minutes maximum if you're thorough, but that's the point. No visitor centre, no facilities beyond what nature provides, no entry fee to fret about.

Go when it's been dry for a few days. Winter's better than summer for visibility, and the isolation is part of the charm.