Castle Hill

The walk up Castle Hill from Brighton rewards you with proper views across the South Downs - on a clear day you can see all the way to the coast. It's not a difficult climb, takes about an hour from the town, and the summit gives you that sudden sense of elevation that makes the effort worthwhile.

What you're actually getting here is a chalk hill with Bronze Age ramparts visible if you know what to look for, though honestly the archaeological side is subtle. Most people come for the walk itself and the chance to sit up there with the wind in your hair, looking back towards Brighton and the sea. The paths are well-maintained and muddy only after heavy rain.

Families with older kids will enjoy it more than very young ones - the route isn't arduous but it does demand steady legs. If you're staying at Chalky Downs Campsite or one of the other sites within a couple of miles, it makes an excellent morning's outing before the afternoon gets too hot.

There's no admission charge and no facilities to speak of on the summit itself, so bring water. Allow ninety minutes if you're taking your time, less if you're moving at pace. It's absolutely worth doing if you're based in Brighton for a week - not a major tourist draw, but a proper local walk with genuine payoff. The sort of place where you understand why people live in this part of Sussex.