Castle Hill NNR

The chalk cliffs at Castle Hill rise steeply from the Sussex downs just north of Brighton, and the walk up rewards you with views that stretch right across to the South Downs. It's a nature reserve, so you're there for the landscape and the wildlife - buzzards circle overhead on good days, and the thin chalk soils support some genuinely rare plants if you know what you're looking for.

The climb itself takes about twenty minutes from the car park, and yes, it's a proper leg-burner. Once you're up top, the path follows the ridge with open grassland on either side. On a clear day you can see for miles. It's the sort of place that rewards a slow wander rather than a quick snap for Instagram - spend an hour and you'll notice the details that make it special.

This works best for walkers and anyone interested in chalk downland ecology. Kids under ten might find the walk a grind, and the lack of facilities means you need to come prepared. There's no café up there, so pack water.

If you're staying at Three Ponds Holiday Park down the road, Castle Hill makes a natural half-day outing - the drive's barely ten minutes. Combine it with a walk down into Brighton proper or another stretch along the downs, and you've got a solid afternoon sorted. Go on a weekday if you can; weekends pull in the crowds, and the narrow paths get congested.