Maidenbower Park

The woodland paths through Maidenbower Park wind through proper Sussex countryside just outside Haywards Heath, and it's the sort of place where you can actually hear yourself think. Ancient trees tower overhead, and in spring the bluebells are genuinely worth a diversion. There's a decent network of trails ranging from straightforward loops to longer walks that take you deeper into the reserve, which suits families with younger kids as much as it does serious walkers looking to burn a few hours.

The main draw is the woodland itself - it's genuine old-growth stuff with clearings where you can spot wildlife if you're patient, though you're more likely to see dog walkers and local runners. There's something refreshing about a nature reserve that doesn't try too hard. No fancy visitor centre, no admission charges that I'm aware of, just trees and paths and the occasional glimpse of Sussex's working countryside beyond the treeline.

If you're based at one of the nearby glamping spots like Worth Forest or Hook Farm Campsite, you can knock this out as a morning or afternoon expedition without it feeling like you've travelled for hours. The proximity to Haywards Heath means you've got a proper town nearby if you need supplies or a decent lunch. Walkers will find enough here to keep them occupied for two or three hours, though families with restless toddlers might find an hour is ample. It's not a destination in itself, but it's exactly what you want from a local nature reserve - accessible, unpretentious, and genuinely pleasant.