Ambersham Common

The chalky slopes of Ambersham Common drop away through stands of beech and yew, offering proper walking country just a couple of miles south of Petworth. It's a Sussex wildlife haven that doesn't announce itself loudly - no visitor centre, no car park attendant collecting fees - just open grassland, scrubby woodland, and the kind of silence you don't get near towns.

What you're doing here is walking. There are paths threading through the reserve, some steep enough to remind your thighs you're alive, others gentler through the trees. The chalk flora is what draws the serious naturalists - bird's-foot trefoil, horseshoe vetch, the sort of plants that butterflies queue up for. On a decent summer's day you'll see chalk hill blues and marbled whites if you're lucky. The views back towards the South Downs are worth stopping for, though they're hardly dramatic.

It works best for walkers and nature enthusiasts rather than families after an afternoon's entertainment. An hour to ninety minutes is probably enough unless you're genuinely fascinated by wildflower meadows or you've got binoculars and serious patience. Spring and early summer are the obvious times - the place comes alive between May and July.

If you're camped at Graffham Camping and Caravanning Club Site just down the road, or staying at Woodfire at Westerlands, this is solid walking country to fill a morning. It's the kind of reserve that rewards proper attention rather than quick visits.