Medievel Village of Perching

Walking the footpaths around Henfield, you'll stumble across the remnants of Perching - a medieval village that simply vanished. What you get here are earthworks and field patterns that tell the story of how people lived centuries ago, then upped and left. No reconstructed buildings or visitor centre; just the bumps and hollows in the landscape where houses once stood, plus the ghosts of old field boundaries.

It's genuinely absorbing if you're into medieval history or archaeology, though you need to know what you're looking at. Walkers will find it worthwhile as an excuse to explore the Sussex countryside around Henfield - the paths are decent and the views across the Downs are proper lovely. Kids might find it a bit underwhelming unless they're already interested in how medieval settlements worked; there's no dramatic ruins to clamber over.

The main thing to understand is that Perching is a scheduled archaeological site, so access is free but you're essentially hiking across farmland to see field evidence. There's no gate, no facilities, no official opening hours - you just turn up. Best visited on a clear day when the earthworks cast shadows that make them easier to spot. Allow an hour or so for a decent walk around the site.

If you're staying at one of the nearby parks like Foot of the Downs or Downsview Park, this makes an excellent morning walk to break up a countryside holiday. Pair it with a pint in Henfield afterwards and you've got yourself a proper Sussex afternoon.