Kissing Copse

The name alone makes you smile - Kissing Copse is one of those small woodlands you find on the Sussex-Surrey border that doesn't announce itself loudly but rewards a quiet wander. It's a modest forest patch near Dorking, the sort of place locals probably know better than visitors, with a proper mix of native trees and that particular woodland quiet that makes you actually notice birdsong.

You're looking at a couple of hours here, maximum. There's no visitor centre or cafe, no designated trails with numbered posts. It's just woodland - walk it as you fancy, spot what you spot. Children will enjoy it if they're into exploring and turning over logs, less so if they need constant activity. Walkers, particularly those doing longer routes through the area, often loop it into a bigger day rather than make it the sole destination.

This works well if you're based at one of the nearby campsites - Sands Farm or Riverside Farm are both within striking distance. It's the kind of place that fits naturally into a Sussex park holiday without requiring separate planning. You won't need to book ahead or worry about opening hours; it's there whenever you fancy a woodland walk.

Honestly? It's pleasant but not a showstopper. The appeal is in the simplicity - a chance to walk among proper woodland without the crowds of bigger attractions. Save it for a morning, combine it with Dorking's high street for lunch, then move on to your next spot. It earns its place on a park holiday itinerary, just don't expect it to be the highlight.