North Marden Down

The walk up North Marden Down rewards you with proper woodland - beech and oak mostly - that opens onto downland views sweeping across Hampshire toward the South Downs. It's honest terrain, not a manicured forest trail. The tree coverage is thick enough to offer shade on hot days, and the underlying chalk means it doesn't get boggy even after rain, which is more than can be said for some woodland walks round here.

This is where you come if you want actual walking, not a stroll. The climb is genuine - steep enough to get your heart going for twenty minutes or so - but the payoff is proper views and a sense of getting somewhere. History buffs might take the time to spot the prehistoric earthworks scattered across the down; they're subtle but they're there if you know what you're looking for.

Allow a couple of hours for a full circuit if you're moving at a comfortable pace. It's free to access, and there's parking near the base. The closest town is Chichester, about seven miles south, which gives you options for lunch or a rainy-day backup plan.

If you're staying at one of the local parks - Bow Hill Farm is closest at just over two miles - this works as an easy morning or afternoon slot. The woodland cover means you can go even in middling weather without too much grief. Families will find it manageable if the kids are decent walkers; the going underfoot is firm enough, but it's not a gentle ramble.