West Hill

West Hill is a proper Sussex nature reserve sitting just outside Hastings, where you get views that stretch across the town and down to the coast. It's the sort of place that rewards a decent walk without demanding mountaineering skills - the paths are generally well-trodden and accessible, though it gets muddy after rain so mind your footing.

You're looking at woodland mixed with open grassland, the kind of habitat that pulls in birds and the odd roe deer if you're lucky. Walkers and wildlife spotters will have a field day here. If you've got kids who can manage a mile or so on foot, they'll enjoy spotting things in the undergrowth more than staring at plaques in museums. It's genuinely free to wander, no gates or barriers - you just turn up.

Allow a couple of hours if you want to cover the main paths without rushing. Early morning or dusk are best for wildlife, though obviously it gets dark fast in winter. Spring's cracking for birdsong and wildflowers.

It slots well into a wider holiday in the area. You're minutes from Beaulieu Farm Campsite and Coghurst Hall if you're staying local, and Hastings itself has enough Victoriana and seafront to fill another day. The reserve keeps you grounded between coastal walking and town time - it's the kind of place you'll thank yourself for not skipping, even if it's just a half-day detour.