Beacon Hill Local Nature Reserve

The walk up Beacon Hill from Brighton proper takes about twenty minutes and rewards you with the sort of view that makes you understand why people live on the South Coast. You're standing on downland that's genuinely wild - chalk grassland dotted with scrub and low trees, nothing manicured about it. On a clear day you can see right across to the Weald; on a grey one it's moody and atmospheric in equal measure.

It's a Local Nature Reserve, which means the ground is properly managed for wildlife rather than trampled flat by holiday crowds. Butterflies and birds do well here, and if you're into plants, the springtime flora is genuinely worth the visit. The paths are straightforward enough that families with capable walkers won't struggle, though it's not pushchair-friendly terrain.

You're looking at an hour or so for the full walk if you're not in a massive hurry. The reserve itself isn't a destination that'll keep you occupied for a whole day - more the sort of thing you'd fit in when you're based somewhere like Three Ponds Holiday Park nearby and fancy a proper bit of fresh air without driving anywhere.

There's no visitor centre or facilities to speak of, so bring water and wear decent shoes. Free to access, obviously. Worth doing once if you're staying in the area, though don't expect manicured gardens or anything with a gift shop attached. What you get is genuine downland and a proper outlook.