Chanctonbury Ring Picnic Site

High on the South Downs, this proper windswept spot sits right beneath the famous Chanctonbury Ring hill fort. The picnic tables here catch some serious breeze - brilliant on a hot day, less appealing when it's blowing a gale in October.

Families with older kids who fancy a decent walk will get the most from this place. The climb up from Pulborough isn't for pushchairs, but anyone reasonably fit can manage it. Once you're up here, the views stretch for miles across the Sussex countryside. On clear days you can see the coast.

What makes this spot special is the ancient beech copse crowning the hill above you. The trees were planted in 1760 to replace older ones, creating this distinctive ring visible from miles around. History buffs love the Iron Age earthworks, though honestly there's not much to see beyond grassy bumps.

Bring your own everything - there's no shop or facilities up here. The car park fills up quickly on sunny weekends, so arrive early if you're driving. Allow at least two hours for the walk and picnic combined.

It works well with a stay at one of the nearby parks like Washington Caravan & Camping or Honeybridge Park. Just don't expect it to entertain young children for long - they'll be ready to head back down after half an hour of admiring the view.