Mount Caburn

The chalk escarpment rises sharp against the sky - no gradual approach, just a proper climb from the village of Glynde up through beech woodland. Mount Caburn sits 481 metres high on the South Downs near Newhaven, and the walk up takes about twenty minutes if you're reasonably fit.

Once you reach the flat top, the views punch above their weight. You're looking across the Weald to the north and down to the coast beyond Newhaven to the south. On a clear day it's genuinely absorbing - the kind of vantage point where you can trace roads and spot church spires. There's an Iron Age hill fort up here too, though the earthworks are subtle enough that you need to know where you're looking.

Walkers will find this worthwhile. The woodland path is well-trodden and the summit reward justifies the effort. Families with primary-school kids should manage it fine; teenagers less likely to be impressed unless they're already into hills. The ascent is steep enough to feel like an achievement without being actually difficult.

It's free to visit and open year-round. Allow an hour and a half return trip from Glynde village. Spring and autumn are best - summer can feel crowded and muddy winter makes the path a bit sticky.

The Secret Campsite, five miles away near Laughton, makes a solid base if you're planning a Downs-heavy week. Golden Cross Holiday Park is six miles south and closer to Newhaven if you want a more conventional setup. Either way, Caburn slots neatly into a broader walking itinerary across the high ground.