Pulborough

The Arun Valley cuts a green swathe through West Sussex here, with the river meandering past water meadows that flood spectacularly each winter. Pulborough sits above these floodplains, a proper working town that hasn't been prettified for tourists - which is exactly its appeal.

You'll find the real Sussex in the surrounding countryside. Great Lordings Wood stretches for miles, criss-crossed with bridleways that are perfect for muddy walks. The ancient woodland at Duke's Rough feels untouched, while Park Hanger offers some cracking views across the Downs. These aren't manicured forests - they're wild, woolly places where you might spot deer or hear owls calling.

History buffs should seek out the Lickfold Roman bath house, tucked away in the countryside. The William Penn Stone marks where the Quaker founder supposedly preached - it's a bit of a trek but worth finding.

Golfers rate West Sussex Golf Club highly, though it's members only during the week. The town itself centres around the railway line - trains from London Victoria take about an hour and twenty minutes. Billingshurst station serves the area well if you're arriving by rail.

Camping nearby makes perfect sense. The South Downs rise just to the south, while the Surrey Hills aren't far north. You're within striking distance of both Chichester and Horsham, but tucked away in proper countryside. The network of footpaths here is excellent - you can walk for miles without seeing a main road.