Apple Down

Apple Down sits at 213 metres on the South Downs, a proper little summit that rewards the climb with surprisingly broad views across West Sussex. The walk up from Chichester direction is gentle enough - nothing that'll leave you gasping - and the downland itself is open chalk grassland, the kind of place where you notice the wind properly and spot red kites circling overhead.

It's a walker's hill rather than a destination in itself. You're not coming here for facilities or visitor infrastructure - there's none - but for the space and the perspective. On a clear day the views stretch impressively, and the walking is what counts. An hour's walk each way from nearby Chichester makes it an easy half-day outing, perfect for stretching your legs if you're based at one of the holiday parks nearby.

Families with primary-age kids will manage fine if they're used to walking. Teenagers might find it a bit uneventful unless they're genuinely into countryside. History types and serious walkers get more from it - Apple Down sits within the wider South Downs landscape, and there's proper ancient trackway heritage here if you know where to look.

Stay at Bow Hill Farm just down the road and you're perfectly placed. The walk is free, obviously, and you can do it any time. Spring and autumn are best - summer gets warm on the exposed downland, winter can be muddy. Allow two to three hours total if you're going at a relaxed pace with breaks.