Glatting Beacon

The walk up Glatting Beacon takes you above the South Downs with views that stretch across Sussex towards the sea. It's not dramatic - there's no summit café or visitor centre - just open downland, a trig point, and the kind of clarity you get from proper elevation. On a clear day you can make out the coast from here, which alone makes the climb worthwhile.

The beacon itself sits at around 800 feet, and the approach is straightforward enough for families with older kids, though the final stretch is steep enough that younger legs might grumble. Allow a good couple of hours if you're coming from Arundel and want to do it properly without rushing. The views reward the effort - rolling hills, patchwork fields, and that particular shade of green only the Downs manage.

Historically minded visitors will appreciate the name itself: this was once an actual beacon, lit to warn of invasion or invasion, though there's nothing left to see of that now. The real appeal is the walk itself rather than any monument. Walkers get the most from this one - it's not a destination with attractions to tick off, but rather a way to spend two hours moving through good country.

If you're based at Woodfire at Westerlands or Graffham Camping just down the road, Glatting Beacon is a natural half-day jaunt. Get up early to miss the crowds (such as they are), and bring proper shoes - the ground can be muddy even when it looks dry.