Willingdon Hill

The climb up Willingdon Hill is properly steep, but the effort pays off once you reach the top. It's a modest peak by most standards - you won't find dramatic cliff faces or Alpine views here - but from the summit you get clear sightlines across the Sussex Weald and out towards Pevensey Bay. On a decent day the view stretches far enough to make the huffing and puffing worthwhile.

This is walker country, full stop. It's the sort of place families with older kids will manage without complaint, though younger ones might grumble about the gradient. The hill itself is essentially open downland, so there's nothing to actually "do" at the top beyond soaking in the view and catching your breath. Count on 30-45 minutes to get up and the same coming down, depending on your fitness level.

What makes it worth the detour is the fit with a broader walking circuit. Warren Wood Country Park sits just 3.8 miles away and makes an excellent base if you're planning several days of rambling. The combination means you can tack Willingdon Hill onto longer routes through the South Downs without it feeling like a side quest. Pevensey itself is only a couple of miles south, useful for parking and grabbing a tea afterwards.

Best visited when the ground isn't waterlogged - winter rain can make the path treacherous underfoot. Spring and autumn offer the crispest air for the view. It's free, naturally, being open downland. No facilities at the top, so bring water.