Windover Hill

You'll spot Windover Hill long before you reach it - that distinctive chalk figure carved into the Sussex downland cuts a striking outline against the sky. The Long Man of Wilmington, as locals call him, is the whole reason people trek up here, and fair dos, it's quite something to stand at the base and take in a figure that's over 200 feet tall.

The walk up is straightforward enough, though the slope catches you off guard if you're not paying attention. Twenty minutes from the car park at Wilmington and you're there, boots caked in chalk dust, looking down across the weald. On a clear day it's properly spectacular - the South Downs roll away in front of you and you can see right across to the coast on a good afternoon.

History types will want to know that nobody's entirely sure when the figure was cut - could be medieval, could be Victorian restoration work, which takes some of the shine off it for purists. But it's still an odd, compelling sight, and families tend to enjoy the walk more than they expect. Kids get bored standing still for long, mind, so go for the journey rather than the destination.

Warren Wood Country Park sits just four miles away, which makes this a natural add-on to a proper walking holiday in the area. Head there first for a night or two, then take a morning to climb Windover Hill before moving on. Free to visit, open whenever - there's no gate to unlock. Bring proper walking shoes though; the chalk gets slippery after rain.