Hiorne's Tower

A squat, brick tower rises unexpectedly from the landscape near Arundel, looking rather like someone's Victorian folly got tired and decided to stay put. Hiorne's Tower is exactly that - an 18th-century construction that stands as a minor curiosity on the Sussex downs, visible from the surrounding footpaths without demanding much of your time or effort.

The tower itself is modest. You won't be climbing interior staircases or discovering secret chambers - it's more of a 'spot it while you're out walking' kind of landmark. The real draw is the walk to reach it and the views across the Arun Valley once you're there. It's the sort of thing that gives walkers a small sense of achievement and a reason to pause for a sandwich and a proper look around.

Historically, it's a brick tower built in the 1780s, though the finer details of its original purpose have faded somewhat. It sits well enough on the landscape without being dramatic. Families with young children might find it underwhelming as a destination in itself, but as part of a longer ramble across the downs, it works.

If you're staying at Brookside Caravan Park or Littlehampton Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite - both within three miles - Hiorne's Tower makes a natural waypoint on a day's walking. You could easily incorporate it into a longer route without needing to build the whole day around it. Go when the weather's decent; there's nothing here to justify a wet trip across muddy fields.