Susie Hartley

The Susie Hartley monument sits quietly on the South Downs near Lewes, a memorial to a life cut short that somehow feels more moving than many grander memorials you'll encounter. It's not a sprawling visitor attraction with tea rooms and gift shops - it's intimate, personal, the kind of place that rewards the effort of finding it.

What you're looking at is a stone monument dedicated to Susie Hartley, and the walk to reach it takes you through proper Sussex countryside. The location itself is gorgeous, with views across the Downs that justify the detour even if you're only vaguely interested in the story behind the stone. Walkers and history buffs will get the most from this - it's not a destination for young children expecting interactive displays, but families who enjoy rambling will find it a natural stopping point on a longer route.

You'll want to allow a good hour or two if you're combining this with other Downland walks in the area. The nearest town of Lewes gives you decent provisions and is worth exploring in its own right. If you're based at Blackberry Wood or The Secret Campsite - both excellent choices for the region - this slot in nicely to a day's walking itinerary rather than as a standalone trip.

Bring a map. It's free to visit, obviously. The real pull here is the quiet reflection and the walk itself, not the monument as spectacle.