Pen Hill

Pen Hill rises above the South Downs near Chichester with the kind of straightforward appeal that makes it proper worth the walk. It's not a dramatic summit - more a confident bulge in the landscape - but the views back towards the coastal plain and west across the Downs justify the climb. You're looking at open downland here, the sort of place where sheep outnumber people and the wind tends to have opinions.

The ascent is reasonably gentle, taking the best part of an hour from the lower slopes depending on your route and fitness. Walkers will find this a cracking spot for an afternoon outing, and the paths are straightforward enough that families with older children won't struggle. The views justify the effort, though I'll be honest - if you've just come from somewhere like Ditchling Beacon, you might find Pen Hill feels a bit more understated.

Timing matters. Early morning or late afternoon light transforms these rolling slopes. Midday in summer, when the sun sits directly overhead, it can feel a bit flat. There's no charge to visit, obviously - it's open downland - and you can start from several approaches depending on where you're based.

If you're staying at Bow Hill Farm just 2.3 miles away, this makes a logical half-day walk from the caravan site. The distance is very manageable, and combining it with a longer Downs walk gives you proper value. Adhurst Yurts, at 5.2 miles, is slightly further afield, but it's still close enough for a morning expedition before settling in for the day.