Westdean Woods

You'll find yourself walking under a proper cathedral of beech and oak as soon as you enter Westdean Woods, just a few miles north of Chichester. The forest floor is thick with leaf litter, and the canopy filters the light into something almost golden on a clear day. It's the kind of place where you actually want to slow down.

This is woodland walking at its most straightforward - no entrance fees, no timed visits, just you and the trees. The trails meander through different sections, some open and airy, others dense enough that you lose sight of the road entirely. Bring proper boots if it's been wet; the paths can get properly muddy. Most people spend an hour to ninety minutes here, though you could easily stretch it to half a day if you're the sort who stops to listen to birds.

Families with young legs will get a lot from this. It's close enough to Chichester for a morning outing, and kids tend to enjoy the freedom of forest trails more than manicured park walks. If you're staying at Bow Hill Farm just down the road - a cracking little caravan site - Westdean is an easy detour. The other nearby options like Graffham Camping and Woodfire at Westerlands are slightly further afield but still make this a natural pairing for a woodland-focused break.

Go early on weekends if you want it relatively quiet. This is working woodland, not a tourist destination, which is precisely why it's worth the trip.