Windmill cottage (Hogg hill)

The old windmill cottage sits on Hogg Hill overlooking the Rye marshes - a proper spot if you're after something quieter than the typical Sussex coastal trail. It's a nature reserve rather than a show-stopper attraction, so come here to walk, watch birds, and soak in the views rather than expecting interpretive signs and a visitor centre.

The marshland around it shifts with the seasons. Spring brings warblers and migrant birds; winter can feel almost desolate, which some find restorative and others find a bit bleak. You'll need decent boots after rain - it gets muddy fast. The walk itself isn't arduous, but it's not a destination for young kids who need constant entertainment.

If you're based at Winchelsea Sands Holiday Park just up the road, this works as a morning walk before heading to Winchelsea town itself. Rye Harbour Holiday Park, three miles away, puts you nicely between here and Rye - arguably the better base if you want walks, decent cafes, and actual things to do beyond nature spotting. The marshes reward patient observers and photographers more than casual strollers. Allow two to three hours if you're doing a proper loop rather than just trotting up to the cottage and back.

Bring binoculars if you've got them. Leave the pram at the caravan. It's free, undeveloped, and entirely dependent on the weather and your mood for wildlife.