Spring Shaw

You won't find signage or visitor facilities at Spring Shaw - it's simply a tract of ancient woodland a few miles inland from Pevensey, the kind of place locals know and outsiders stumble upon by accident. The forest floor is thick with leaf litter and moss, with oak and beech providing decent canopy cover. It's proper woodland, not a managed attraction, so there are no marked trails or facilities to speak of.

Walkers get the most from this one. If you're based at Fontmills Farm Campsite nearby, it makes for a solid afternoon ramble away from the coastal crowds. The paths can be muddy and poorly defined - bring decent boots - but that's half the appeal if you like navigating somewhere that hasn't been tarmacked over for tourism. Families with young kids might find it a bit dull if they're expecting woodland play equipment; there's nothing of the sort. Older children who actually enjoy walking will do fine.

There's no admission fee because there's no infrastructure. Just turn up during daylight hours and explore at your own pace. Allow a couple of hours to get a proper feel for it. Spring Shaw sits within reasonable striking distance of the wider Pevensey area - useful if you're doing a round of coastal visits and want a break from seafront walks. It's worth the detour if you're already in the region, but don't travel specially for it. It's a local woodland, not a destination attraction.