Rottingdean War Memorial

The memorial sits in Rottingdean village, just a short hop from Brighton, as a quiet reminder of the First World War. It's the sort of place you'll stumble upon while wandering the high street rather than make a special trip for, but that doesn't diminish what it represents. The stone itself is modest - no grand monument here - and that's rather the point. Local names carved into it tell the story of a small Sussex community that lost its sons to the trenches.

You won't need more than twenty minutes here, maybe thirty if you're the type to read every name and sit with the history for a bit. There's no visitor centre or facilities, just the memorial and the village around it. It works particularly well if you're already exploring Rottingdean's seafront and the gap between here and Brighton - the walk's pleasant enough on a decent day. Families with older kids might appreciate the chance to talk about what these memorials mean, though younger children will lose interest fast.

If you're based at one of the nearby campsites - Brighton Caravan and Motorhome Club is only two miles away - this is an easy five-minute drive or a longer but doable walk through the village. It pairs well with a day exploring Brighton itself or the chalk cliffs that characterise this stretch of coast. Free admission, naturally. The memorial is accessible year-round, though winter months mean fewer visitors and a more reflective atmosphere. Worth a stop, but don't expect anything beyond the memorial itself.