Tent Hill

The walk up Tent Hill near Battle rewards you with views across the weald that frankly trump some of the higher peaks in the area. It's not a dramatic summit - nothing like the South Downs proper - but that's rather the point. You get genuine countryside without the crowds.

The climb itself takes twenty minutes or so from the car park, and the path is straightforward enough that families with older kids manage it easily. The summit's modest, just a clearing with a few benches, but on a clear day you can see proper distance. Even when it's cloudy, the rolling farmland and woodland composition feels properly English in a way that makes you understand why people fight to protect this stretch of Sussex.

Walkers get the most from it - this isn't a destination where you'd spend half a day. Allow an hour and you've got the full experience, which is bang on for a half-morning activity. It works perfectly as part of a wider day exploring the area around Battle, especially if you're staying at nearby Beech Estate Campsite. Combine it with a walk down to the town itself or a potter around the abbey grounds, and you've got a solid day sorted.

Go early if possible, particularly on weekends. The path gets trampled by foot traffic but the views remain consistent. Free to access, naturally - it's open countryside. Bring a decent waterproof in autumn; the summit's exposed and the wind whips through properly.