Sweet Hill

The South Downs near Brighton offer proper walking territory, and Sweet Hill is one of those peaks that rewards you with views across Sussex without requiring serious mountaineering credentials. It's a straightforward walk up chalk downland - the kind of place where you'll see why people move to this part of the world and why they never leave again.

You get panoramic stretches across the Weald on a clear day, rolling fields dropping away in every direction, and the satisfaction of reaching a genuine high point without it taking all morning. The walk itself is accessible for families with reasonable fitness - nothing technical, just solid footpath work. How long depends entirely on which route you pick, but budget two to three hours for a decent circuit.

This works brilliantly if you're camping at any of the nearby sites - Foot of the Downs or Southdown Way are both within striking distance - and you can pair it with other South Downs walks without feeling repetitive. Brighton's close enough that you can do the peak in the morning and still have the afternoon free for the seafront if the weather turns.

Go when the chalk is dry rather than after rain - it gets slippery and the path becomes more of a slog. Early autumn or spring are ideal. Winter's fine too if you don't mind the mud. The real draw is the walking itself rather than any particular facility at the top, so come prepared with proper boots and water. No need to book anything, no entry fees - just turn up and go.