Square Wood

You'll find yourself in proper woodland the moment you step into Square Wood, just outside Battle. Ancient trees crowd in on all sides, with a real sense that this patch has been left largely to its own devices. The forest floor is thick with leaf litter and fallen branches, the kind of place where you can actually hear yourself think.

It's the sort of walk that rewards wanderers more than those after a quick tick-box visit. Bring wellies if it's been wet - the ground gets boggy in places. There are no formal trails to speak of, which means you're free to explore at your own pace, threading between the trees and discovering clearings as you go. History buffs might get a kick from knowing this area sat right in the shadow of the 1066 battlefield, though the wood itself is just ancient forest rather than a historical site proper.

Families with older kids who can handle uneven ground will enjoy it; younger ones might find the lack of facilities or obvious endpoints a bit dull. Allow a solid hour minimum if you actually want to explore properly, though you can flit through in twenty minutes if you're just after a quick wander.

The beauty of staying at Seven Acre Woods or Beech Estate Campsite nearby is you can slip away for a woodland walk without driving anywhere. Square Wood feels particularly good in autumn when the light filters through the thinning canopy. It's free to visit and requires no planning - just turn up and see where your feet take you.