Harrow Hill

The walk up Harrow Hill from Patching rewards you with proper Sussex downland views - rolling chalk slopes that stretch toward the coast. It's not dramatic, and anyone expecting alpine drama will be disappointed, but there's something genuinely pleasant about climbing out here on a clear morning.

You're walking an ancient ridge route used for thousands of years. The views are the main event: south across the South Downs, north toward Storrington, and on a good day you can pick out the Weald beyond. The climb itself is straightforward - grassland paths, well-trodden, nothing technical. Allow 45 minutes to the summit from Patching and back.

Walkers will find this satisfying. Families with young kids might find it a touch steep on the return leg, but primary-age children with decent legs will manage fine. History enthusiasts should know there's an Iron Age fort site up here, though the archaeology is subtle - no dramatic ramparts, more a matter of knowing where to look.

This works perfectly as a morning outing if you're camping at Fox Wood or Washington, both within spitting distance. You're done by lunchtime, which leaves the afternoon free for the coast or another walk. It's free, obviously - just pull into Patching and start walking. Go midweek if possible; weekends bring the South Coast day-trippers.