Stumlet Wood

Stumlet Wood is one of those proper Sussex forests that creeps up on you - you'll turn a corner near Heathfield and suddenly the trees close in, quiet and thick. It's a working woodland, which means it feels lived-in rather than manicured, with a decent network of footpaths threading through beech and oak. The walk itself isn't strenuous, but it's not a stroll either; expect muddy stretches and the occasional root to catch you out.

Walkers will get the most from this one. There's something satisfying about being genuinely surrounded by forest without the crowds you'd hit at the bigger, more famous spots. If you've got older kids who don't need constant entertainment, they'll be fine here picking up sticks and spotting woodland bits. Younger children might find it a touch dull after thirty minutes - there's no playground or café, just trees and paths.

Allow a couple of hours if you're doing a proper walk. It's free to access, which is exactly what you want for a local wood. The best time is autumn, when the beech leaves turn golden and the light comes through properly. Spring works too if you don't mind the mud.

If you're camping at Dernwood Farm - just under a mile away - this is your perfect morning or late afternoon option. Close enough that you won't burn petrol, good enough that you won't feel like you're wasting time. Pair it with another park walk elsewhere in Sussex and you've got a solid day mapped out.