Park Hanger

The chalk woodland at Park Hanger rises steeply from the Pulborough area, offering proper good walking through dense beech and yew trees that feel genuinely wild despite being within easy reach of Sussex villages. The forest floor is thick with leaf litter and roots - wear decent boots. It's the kind of place where you can lose an hour without noticing, following narrow paths that switchback up the slope with decent views back towards the Weald when you reach the upper reaches.

This is excellent terrain for walkers who like a bit of gradient without it being a mountain slog. Families with teenagers will get on well here; younger kids might find the steeper bits tiresome, and there's not much to hold their attention beyond the trees themselves. Birdwatchers and anyone interested in woodland ecology will find it rewarding - the mix of tree species supports good wildlife, and early mornings are particularly quiet.

Access appears to be free and open to the public, though you should allow at least ninety minutes for a proper circuit rather than just wandering for half an hour. Come in autumn when the light filters through golden leaves, or spring when the woodland floor comes alive with bluebells. Summer can feel a bit dense and muggy under all that canopy.

It pairs well with Knepp Wildland Safaris just down the road if you're after a wider Sussex experience, or use Cattlestone Farm or Goweco Glamping as a base for exploring this part of the South Downs. Not Instagram-famous, which is precisely why it's worth the detour.