Park Corner Heath

The open heathland at Park Corner stretches out in proper Sussex fashion - gorse and heather mixed with birch scrub, the kind of place that feels wilder than the manicured downs you'd find elsewhere in the county. It's genuinely quiet out here, which is half the point. You're looking at classic lowland heath habitat, the sort of landscape that's become rarer across England, and that matters if you care about that sort of thing.

This works best for walkers and anyone keen on wildlife spotting. The open ground gives you sightlines for spotting birds, and if you're into plants or insects, the heathland flora is the main draw. It's not a destination that'll keep kids entertained for hours - there's no café, no facilities, just the heath itself. But if you're based at Horam Manor Country Park or Fontmills Farm Campsite nearby, both just four or so miles away, it's worth a morning ramble. You can knock out a decent loop walk without the crowds you'd get at more famous Sussex spots.

Go when the gorse is in flower if you can manage it - the yellow blooms lift the landscape. Winter's bleaker but often clearer for walking. Allow a couple of hours depending on your pace. Free to access, no gates or nonsense. It's the sort of place that rewards you for finding it yourself rather than following a guidebook around.