Chanctonbury Ring

Standing atop the South Downs at 238 metres, this Iron Age hillfort commands sweeping views across the Sussex Weald that'll make your legs ache in the best possible way. The distinctive ring of beech trees crowning the summit was planted in 1760, though storms have thinned their ranks over the centuries, leaving a more open circle than Victorian walkers would have known.

Walkers and history enthusiasts will find themselves properly rewarded here. The climb from any direction is steep enough to earn those panoramic views stretching to the coast on clear days. Archaeological evidence points to 2,500 years of human activity on this spot, from Bronze Age burial mounds to Roman coins scattered in the soil.

Families with older children who don't mind a proper hike will love it, though the terrain can be challenging for little ones or pushchairs. The closest approach is from the car park near Washington, just north of Pulborough, though paths wind up from all directions across the downs.

Free to visit and open year-round, though winter winds up here can be fierce. Allow two to three hours for the full experience, including time to catch your breath and take in those views. If you're staying at Washington Caravan & Camping Park or any of the sites around Pulborough, this makes a cracking day out that'll leave you feeling properly accomplished.