Roundacre Wood

The woodland path into Roundacre Wood feels properly grown-up the moment you slip past the entrance near Bexhill. It's not vast - you won't need more than an hour or two to work through it - but the trees give you that genuine sense of stepping out of the world. Tall beech and oak mostly, with the floor soft enough underfoot that you almost forget you're in East Sussex.

This one rewards walkers more than casual strollers. There are decent paths through the wood, though they get a bit muddy after rain. Kids with energy will enjoy the wandering, but there's no playground or tearoom, so manage expectations accordingly. Adults after a proper woodland walk, though, will find it worth the detour from Bexhill's seafront.

You'll want to go in the spring or early autumn when the canopy does something interesting and the light filters through nicely. Summer can feel a touch claustrophobic if you're after views, and winter's fine if you don't mind the damp.

It pairs well with a stay at Normans Bay Camping and Caravanning Club Site, just five and a half miles away. That gives you a solid woodland walk without being too far from the coast if the weather turns. The wood itself appears to be free access - locals treat it as such - though always worth checking locally if anything's changed. Bring proper boots. The mud's real.