National Trust - Ditchling Beacon

The South Downs Way passes right through Ditchling Beacon, and on a clear day the views stretch all the way to the coast. You're standing at 813 metres - proper high for Sussex - with the weald spreading out below you like a patchwork quilt. The beacon itself is an Iron Age hill fort, so there's actual history beneath your feet as well as the scenery.

It's a straightforward walk from Hassocks, though the climb is genuine work. Most people allow two to three hours for the round trip, depending on fitness and how long you linger at the top. The path is well-maintained and clearly marked, which helps. On weekends you'll share it with plenty of other walkers and families, but the space up there is big enough that it never feels rammed.

Walkers will absolutely love this - it's one of the better vantage points along the whole ridge. Families with older kids do well here too; younger ones might find the slog up tedious unless they're keen on the fort aspect. The actual site requires no admission and there's no visitor centre, just the landscape and the views. Go early on a weekend if you want to avoid the crowds, or midweek if you can manage it.

If you're staying at Southdown Way or Blackberry Wood - both less than two miles away - this is practically on your doorstep. The Downs provide endless walking variations, so you could easily spend a whole holiday exploring the ridge without repeating yourself.