High Hill

The South Downs aren't exactly the Lake District, but High Hill delivers a proper walk with views that stretch all the way to the coast if you time it right. It's not a dramatic peak - more a steady climb through chalk grassland just north of Brighton - but that's rather the point. You get to say you've been up something without needing a rope or special shoes.

The walk itself takes about an hour depending on your pace and whether you stop to catch your breath. On a clear day, you can see right down to Brighton's seafront. On a grey one, which is most of them, you'll at least have the South Downs Way nearby if you fancy extending things. The terrain is manageable for most walkers, though it can be muddy after rain and a bit steep in places.

This works best for walkers rather than families with small children - there's nowhere to stop for snacks halfway up, and the payoff is more views than thrills. History types might appreciate that you're walking proper chalk downland, the same landscape that's defined Sussex for centuries.

Parked at Chalky Downs Campsite or Brighton Caravan and Motorhome Club just down the road? High Hill is an easy morning or afternoon slot before heading back for a proper dinner. Free to access, obviously. Best in spring when the downland flowers actually appear, or autumn when the light turns golden.