Norton Hill

Norton Hill sits just inland from Newhaven, offering one of those rare Sussex vantage points where you can actually see across the Weald without fighting through woodland for hours. It's not dramatic - the South Downs do drama better - but it's a proper little walk that rewards you with decent views out towards the coast if the weather plays ball.

The walk itself takes maybe forty minutes up from the car park, nothing too strenuous. You're climbing through chalk grassland and scrubby hawthorn, the sort of landscape that changes colour completely between seasons. Summer's golden, winter's bleak. Bring proper boots if it's been wet - the chalk gets slippery.

This works well for families who want something achievable without dragging reluctant teens up a mountain. Walkers passing through on longer routes often miss it entirely, which is their loss. History enthusiasts will find Bronze Age burial mounds up here, though you need to know what you're looking for - they're subtle bumps in the grass rather than dramatic monuments.

There's no café, no facilities. It's free to access. The beauty of Norton Hill is that it demands almost nothing from you except legs and time. Pair it with Three Ponds Holiday Park just down the road if you're basing yourself in the area - close enough for an afternoon sortie without eating a full day of holiday.

Worth the detour? If you're already in Newhaven, absolutely. If you're driving specially, probably not.