Exceat Hill

The walk up Exceat Hill rewards you with proper views across the Sussex weald - the kind of vista that justifies an afternoon's detour from Hailsham. It's not a dramatic summit by any stretch, but the ridge walk itself is pleasant enough, and on a clear day you can see why people bother making the trip.

What you're really getting here is a solid countryside walk rather than a destination attraction. The hill sits within the South Downs, so expect rolling fields, hedgerows, and the sort of peaceful quiet that makes you realise how little of England actually feels remote anymore. The ascent is gradual - nothing that will knacker you halfway up - and the paths are well-trodden enough that you won't spend the afternoon squinting at a map.

Couples and keen walkers will get more from it than families with small children, though there's nothing actively difficult about it. Allow two to three hours if you're doing the walk properly rather than just popping up for a quick look. Summer's the obvious choice, though frankly any clear day works.

If you're based at Three Ponds Holiday Park nearby, this makes a sensible half-day outing that doesn't require driving far. It's the sort of place that reminds you why the South Downs National Park exists - nothing showy, just good bones and decent walking country. Worth doing once if you're in the area, though don't expect it to be the highlight of your trip.