Dunction Hill

The walk up to Dunction Hill rewards you with proper views across the Sussex Weald. It's not a dramatic summit - nothing like the South Downs proper - but from up there you get sight lines that stretch for miles on a clear day, with Petworth tucked away below and the green folds of the countryside rolling out in every direction.

This is a straightforward hill walk rather than a tourist attraction with facilities. You'll find no café or visitor centre, just a path and the view at the top. It takes about 45 minutes to reach the summit from the nearest parking, depending on your fitness and which route you take. The climb is steady rather than steep, so families with older kids manage it without complaint, though younger ones might find it a slog.

Walkers absolutely love it. The sort of people who head out with a map and a thermos of tea will get something real from Dunction Hill - it feels like actual countryside, not a packaged experience. History types will note the Bronze Age barrow on the summit, though there's not much to see beyond the landscape itself.

If you're camping nearby - Woodfire at Westerlands is barely a mile away - this makes for a solid morning out without eating up your whole day. Graffham Camping and Caravanning Club Site is equally close. Go when the weather's settled and visibility is good; on a grey day it's just a muddy walk to a field. There's no admission charge, naturally.