Haywards Heath

The early morning London commuters hurry through the station at dawn, clutching takeaway coffees and folded newspapers. But stay a bit longer and Haywards Heath reveals itself as far more than just another stop on the Brighton line.

This West Sussex market town sits smack in the middle of proper countryside, surrounded by ancient woodland and rolling South Downs. Mill Lake and Broadhurst Lake offer peaceful walks where you might spot kingfishers darting between the reeds. The town itself is functional rather than pretty - the high street gets quiet after 5pm on weekdays - but it's perfectly positioned for exploring some of England's finest countryside.

Ten minutes south by car brings you to Sheffield Park and the wonderful Bluebell Railway Museum. The heritage steam trains chuff through six miles of gorgeous Wealden landscape, and SteamWorks! lets the kids get hands-on with railway history. Worth the trek even if you're not a train enthusiast.

Walk five minutes from the centre and you're into serious hiking territory. Limekiln Wood and King's Grove offer shaded trails that connect to longer routes across the Downs. Camp Hill provides cracking views south towards Brighton on clear days, while Jessop's Hill is a gentler climb through beech and oak.

Golfers will find Haywards Heath Golf Course a proper test - it's been challenging players since the 1920s. The course winds through mature parkland with some tricky water hazards.

Getting here couldn't be easier - regular trains from London Victoria take just 45 minutes. The surrounding holiday parks make perfect sense for families wanting to explore both countryside and coast. Brighton's barely 30 minutes away by train, while the South Downs National Park starts virtually on your doorstep.