Markwells Wood

The woodland path through Markwells Wood is a proper surprise if you're staying near Emsworth. It's not dramatic or towering - just a straightforward walk through mixed woodland where the trees do what trees do best: create shade and quiet. You'll find yourself on decent trails, nothing too technical, just the sort of place where you notice the canopy changes as you move deeper in, and the undergrowth shifts between bracken and ferns depending on the season.

Walkers will get the most from this one. It's the kind of place you can knock out in under an hour, though staying longer won't feel wasted if you're in no rush. Kids might find it interesting for twenty minutes before wanting to head elsewhere, unless they're the type who genuinely enjoy spotting woodland birds or turning over logs.

The real value is as a leg-stretcher during a park holiday. If you're based at Bow Hill Farm just down the road - a decent caravan site, rated well - Markwells fits neatly into a morning or afternoon ramble. It's free, obviously, and accessible year-round, though spring's probably when it looks least tired. The ground can get muddy after rain, so check your boots. Nothing fancy, nothing marketed as a destination, just functional woodland that does the job if you need a proper walk without driving far from the Sussex coast.