Speckled Wood, Hastings

The woodland paths at Speckled Wood run through proper Sussex countryside, just a short drive from Hastings town centre. It's the sort of place that feels miles from anywhere even though you can practically see the seafront from certain spots. The reserve itself is small enough to explore in an afternoon but dense enough that you'll forget you're near a seaside town.

What you're actually doing here is walking through mixed woodland - oak, ash, and hazel mostly - with a decent chance of spotting woodland birds and the odd deer if you're lucky and quiet. The paths are well-trodden but not overcrowded, which makes a change from some of the more famous Sussex walks. In spring the bluebells come thick, and autumn brings that satisfying crunch underfoot. There's nothing spectacular about it in the way that famous beauty spots are spectacular, but it's the kind of walk that settles you properly.

This is a solid choice for families with children old enough to manage a woodland ramble without constant demands to turn back, and walkers will find it a genuine breather between longer coastal hikes. History types won't find much beyond the trees themselves, but that's rather the point. Allow a couple of hours if you're taking it slowly, less if you're just after a quick leg-stretch.

Given how close Seven Acre Woods holiday park sits - just over five miles away - you could easily tack this onto a weekend break without any real planning. It slots in nicely before or after a beach day, depending on the weather.