Northfleet Shaw

Walking into Northfleet Shaw feels like stepping off the map entirely. This Sussex woodland sits a few miles south of Heathfield and offers the kind of proper forest experience you don't get often in the South East - dense trees, quiet paths, and the sort of peace that makes you wonder why you don't do this more often.

It's fundamentally a place for walkers and anyone after some fresh air between the campsites dotted around the area. Families with restless kids will find it useful for burning energy, though there's nothing fancy here - no play equipment, no visitor centre, just woodland. If your children need constant stimulation, they'll be bored within twenty minutes. But if they like exploring and spotting wildlife, they'll be content for a good couple of hours.

The woodland works particularly well as a break from the campsite routine at Beech Estate or Horam Manor Country Park, both within easy driving distance. You could knock out a decent walk and be back for lunch without faffing about. There's something grounding about unplugging from facilities and just wandering among trees for a bit.

Timing-wise, go early morning or late afternoon when the light filters through properly and you won't meet hordes of other people. Bring decent footwear - it can get muddy - and check locally whether there are any seasonal closures, as details aren't widely published online. Free to access, naturally, and you can spend as little as thirty minutes or most of your morning there depending on how far you fancy walking.