Sheffield Park and Garden

Four lakes strung together like pearls, each one reflecting the sky differently depending on the light and season. Sheffield Park Garden near Lewes is what happens when an 18th-century landowner decides he wants something proper dramatic on his estate, and honestly, it works. You're walking through actual landscaped parkland here - not a tourist trap, but the real thing. The lakes are the star turn, ringed with mature trees and open enough that you can actually see across them. Autumn is peak time if you can manage it; the colours reflecting in the water are genuinely worth the trip.

This is easy territory for families with young kids - the main paths are flat and well-maintained, though you'll want waterproof shoes if there's been rain. Allow a solid two to three hours to do it justice, longer if you're photographing or just sitting about taking it in. The estate includes woodland walks too, which means you can extend things if the mood takes you. It's free to wander the gardens, which is generous given what you get.

If you're based at Wild Boar Wood Campsite just up the road - barely more than two miles away - Sheffield Park slots perfectly into a Sussex holiday. It pairs well with the rolling Downs walks nearby, or you can do it as a half-day thing before heading into Lewes itself for lunch. The other campsites at Hook Farm and The Secret Campsite are within easy striking distance too, making it a natural anchor point for exploring the area.