Hammer Pond

The water at Hammer Pond sits dark and still, ringed by woodland that's thick enough to feel properly secluded despite being just outside Haywards Heath. This is a working fishery - you'll see anglers dotted along the banks most days - but there's a decent public footpath that loops around the edge, so you can walk without needing a rod.

It's a quiet spot rather than a dramatic one. No cafes, no facilities, just trees and water and the occasional plop of a fish. The walk takes about thirty to forty minutes if you go the whole way round, and it's flat enough that younger kids won't grind to a halt halfway. The main car park is small, so get there early on weekends if you want a space without faffing about.

Who'll enjoy it? Walkers after something low-key, birdwatchers who don't mind a bit of patience, people who want to sit on the bank with a book. It won't thrill the adrenaline crowd, but if you're based at Sunset Tree Camping or Raylands Country Park nearby, it's exactly the sort of easy morning walk that makes a holiday feel properly restful. Spring and early summer are best - the water's prettiest then, and the birds are vocal. Winter can feel a bit bleak if the sun doesn't show up.