Oldpark Copse

The moment you step into Oldpark Copse, the world gets quieter. This woodland sits just outside Petworth in Sussex, a proper slice of ancient forest that feels worlds away from the busy high street despite being barely a mile or so from town. The paths wind through mature beech and oak, the kind of trees that make you crane your neck upward - it's the real deal for anyone serious about woodland walking rather than a quick stroll.

It's free to roam, which is brilliant. You can easily spend an hour here picking your way through dappled light and leaf litter, though honestly two or three hours disappears without you noticing if you're the type to sit on a log and just listen. Families with young kids find it manageable - nothing too demanding underfoot, though it's not a manicured park - but it's the walkers and wildlife types who'll get the most from it. Bring binoculars if you're keen on birds; the woodland offers proper opportunities.

If you're based at Graffham Camping just down the road, or staying at Woodfire at Westerlands, Oldpark Copse makes an easy morning or afternoon venture. It's the kind of place that rounds out a park holiday nicely - gives your legs a proper stretch without requiring special kit or advance planning. Go when the light's low and golden, either early morning or late afternoon. Rain actually enhances it rather than spoiling it; the whole place smells better and the woodland comes alive differently.