NorthWood

The woodland around East Grinstead has proper character, and NorthWood is the real deal if you want to stretch your legs without the crowds you'd find further south. It's a working forest - mix of conifers and broadleaf trees, trails that actually go somewhere rather than loop back after ten minutes, and the kind of quiet that makes you remember why you came to Sussex in the first place.

Walkers will get the most from it. The terrain isn't brutal, but it's not flat either, so families with young kids might find an hour enough before the grumbling starts. Older children who can manage a proper walk will be fine for two to three hours if you're unhurried about it. History buffs won't find much to grab onto here - it's nature you're after, not ancient settlements.

I'd allow at least ninety minutes if you're doing a decent circuit. Early morning is when you'll have it to yourself. The forest floor gets waterlogged in winter, so proper boots matter. No obvious facilities that I could spot, so bring water and snacks.

If you're camping at Wild Boar Wood or Hook Farm - both excellent sites within five miles - NorthWood makes a solid day out without eating up your entire morning. It's the sort of place that slots neatly into a Sussex break without demanding the full expedition treatment. Not spectacular, but proper woodland walking done well.