National Trust Warren Hill

Warren Hill rises abruptly from the Sussex landscape just outside Pulborough, a proper chunk of downland that offers views across the Weald if you're prepared to climb. The National Trust manages it as an open access space - no gates, no admission fees, just you and the chalk grassland. Most people spend between 45 minutes and two hours here, depending on whether you're dawdling or power-walking the perimeter paths.

The hill itself is the draw. You get genuine panoramic views from the top, the kind that remind you why people cared enough to preserve this corner of the South Downs in the first place. The turf is springy underfoot, dotted with wildflowers in summer, and on a clear day you can spot right across to the Weald. Walkers get the most from it - this isn't a stroll, it's a proper leg-stretcher with some gradient to it. Families with older kids will manage fine, though younger ones might find 20 minutes of uphill boring.

If you're camping at Washington Caravan & Camping Park just down the road, Warren Hill makes an obvious half-day excursion. It's the kind of place you combine with a visit to Pulborough itself or nearby Arundel, rather than driving out specially. The access is straightforward enough, though there's limited roadside parking, so go early on weekends. Bring proper walking shoes - the paths can be muddy after rain, and the descent can be slippery.