Kithurst Hill

The walk up Kithurst Hill rewards you with one of those views that makes the climb worthwhile - you can see right across the Weald on a clear day, which is precisely why people keep coming back. It's not a brutal ascent, but it's steep enough to get the blood moving, and the South Downs Way passes directly over the summit, so you're sharing the ridge with serious walkers and casual hikers alike.

What you're getting here is pure downland walking. Chalk grassland, the kind of open space that feels properly remote even though Pulborough is just a few miles south. On a decent afternoon you might have the top almost to yourself, watching paragliders launch themselves off the escarpment. The views justify the effort - Sussex countryside rolling away in all directions, and on exceptional days you can pick out the sea.

This works best for walkers and anyone who actually enjoys climbing hills. Families with young children should be honest with themselves about whether 45 minutes up a slope is their idea of fun. Allow two to three hours for the full outing, longer if you want to explore the ridge either way.

It's free, obviously - it's a hill. If you're based at Washington Caravan & Camping Park or Fox Wood Campsite nearby, this is an obvious half-day option. The walk starts from car parks at the base, so logistically it's straightforward. Go on a weekday if you want peace, or after 4pm in summer when day trippers have cleared off.