Cow Gap

The walk up to Cow Gap from Pevensey levels you out at one of those rare viewpoints where you actually feel like you've earned the view. It's a straightforward climb through the South Downs, nothing technical, but enough of a pull that you'll notice your legs by the time you reach the top.

Once you're there, the vista opens up properly - you get a real sense of the Downs' scale stretching inland, with views back toward the coast and Pevensey Bay itself. On a clear day it's the sort of view that makes you understand why people walk this far inland rather than staying put on the promenade.

It works best for walkers rather than casual visitors. Families with young kids might find the climb tedious for what amounts to a half-hour scramble, though older children who enjoy a proper walk will get something from it. The real reward is the walk itself and the countryside you move through, not some jaw-dropping dramatic vista - go in with that expectation and you won't be disappointed.

There's nothing commercial up there, no café or facilities, so bring water and a packed lunch if you're making an afternoon of it. Most people allow a couple of hours return from Pevensey town. It pairs well with the seaside at Pevensey Bay Holiday Park if you're based nearby - a nice inland counterpoint to a beach week.