Wild Heart Hill

The name alone makes you curious - Wild Heart Hill sits just outside Pulborough in Sussex, a spot that draws walkers and locals who know the South Downs well. It's a modest rise in the landscape, the sort of place you might miss if you weren't looking for it, but that's rather the point. What you get here is a genuine piece of the South Downs' character without the tourist crowds that swamp some of the bigger viewpoints.

This is walker territory, frankly. The hill itself offers views across the Weald and the surrounding farmland - nothing dramatic enough to stop a car for, but the kind of vista that rewards an actual walk rather than a quick pull-over. The footpaths around here connect nicely with the broader network of trails through the South Downs, so it works well as part of a longer route rather than a standalone visit.

Bring the family if they're decent walkers, but don't expect playground facilities or interpretive boards - this is genuine countryside. The time you spend here depends entirely on whether you're just doing a quick climb or weaving it into a longer day on foot. If you're based at South Downs Caravan Park (6 miles away, and the area's best-rated option), it's a natural addition to your walking itinerary. For something properly atmospheric and less managed than the honeypot South Downs spots, Wild Heart Hill delivers. Just go prepared for actual walking, not a visitor attraction experience.