Mosses Wood

A proper woodland walk through dense Sussex forest, Mosses Wood delivers exactly what it promises - trees, paths, and some genuine peace and quiet. The canopy here is thick enough that even on bright days you're walking in dappled shade, which makes it popular with families wanting to escape the heat during summer visits. The woodland floor is soft underfoot and there are enough intersecting paths to keep things interesting without getting confusing.

Dorking sits just a few miles north, so this works well as a half-day detour if you're staying in the area. The walk isn't strenuous, which means grandparents won't feel dragged along, but it's long enough to feel like you've actually done something rather than just ambled about for twenty minutes. Woodland types and birdwatchers will find the habitat properly rewarding.

It's free to access and you can turn back whenever suits you - no gates, no fees, no nonsense. The best time to visit is spring or early autumn when the undergrowth hasn't become an impenetrable thicket and the midges aren't out in force. If you're camping at Sands Farm Weekend Camping, Mosses Wood makes for an excellent morning walk before breakfast, though the site itself sits just outside Dorking with plenty of other woodland options nearby. Allow a couple of hours for a proper walk, though you could just as easily do thirty minutes if time's tight.