Holt Hill

The walk up Holt Hill is short, sharp, and exactly what you want from a Sussex downland summit. It's the sort of climb that leaves you properly breathless in ten minutes, but rewards you with views across the Weald that make every panting step worthwhile. On a clear day you can see for miles - the South Downs rolling away in front of you, with Hassocks sitting below like a toy town.

It's a walker's destination through and through. The path itself is well-trodden, a mix of chalk and grass, and once you're up top there's a real sense of achievement that belies how modest the height actually is. Families with confident walkers will manage it easily, though toddlers might find the scramble tedious. History buffs won't find much here - it's purely about the landscape and the leg work.

The whole thing takes maybe half an hour from car to viewpoint and back down, which makes it ideal for a morning walk before heading to one of the nearby campsites like Southdown Way or Chalky Downs. Both are within four miles, so you could easily base yourself there for a week of exploring the surrounding downland. It's free, obviously - you just park sensibly near Hassocks and get your boots on. Go early to avoid the weekend crowds, and honestly, go after rain when the chalk dries out. That's when the views are sharpest.