St Matthews Gardens

The gardens sit tucked away near Hastings, a proper breath of fresh air if you're staying at one of the nearby holiday parks. St Matthews is a nature reserve that punches above its weight - mature trees, open grassland, and enough quiet corners to lose an afternoon without trying too hard.

What you get depends on the season. Spring brings the usual woodland flowers; summer's all about shade and birdsong; autumn turns it into something worth the walk just for the colours. The paths are straightforward enough - nothing that'll test you, but enough variation to keep it interesting. Families with younger kids won't struggle, and it's the sort of place where dog walkers actually seem content rather than just going through the motions.

If you're camped at Coghurst Hall or Seven Acre Woods, this is a genuine five-minute detour that'll feel like you've actually left the caravan park behind. It's free, which matters when you're budgeting a week away. Allow an hour, maybe ninety minutes if you're the type to stop and actually look at things. No facilities that I could find, so bring water.

Honestly? It won't be the highlight of your Sussex trip, but it's the sort of place that makes a holiday feel less scheduled. There's no entrance fee, no gift shop, no pressure - just trees doing what trees do best. Worth a morning walk, definitely worth combining with a wander into Hastings proper.