Hassocks

Brighton's northern commuter belt hasn't completely swallowed this East Sussex village - yet. Hassocks sits in that sweet spot where proper countryside begins, with the South Downs rolling away like green waves just beyond the railway station. The Brighton line makes it a bit too convenient for London escapees, but step off the main road and you'll find footpaths threading through ancient woodland and up onto the chalk hills.

Climbing Mount Harry or Blackcap gives you proper views across the Weald - on clear days you can see right to the North Downs. These aren't towering peaks, mind, but the sort of gentle Sussex hills that make for excellent afternoon walks. Great Home Wood and Plumpton Wood offer shadier alternatives when the sun's too fierce, while Horseshoe Plantation provides a decent woodland ramble.

The village itself won't detain you long. There's a reasonable pub and the usual parade of shops, but it's really about the surrounding countryside. Mid Sussex Golf Club keeps the keen golfers happy, though the real draw is the network of bridleways and footpaths that connect Hassocks to neighbouring villages like Plumpton.

Getting here couldn't be simpler - trains from Brighton take just 15 minutes, while London's about an hour away. The A273 provides road access, though parking can be tight near the station. Using one of the nearby holiday parks makes perfect sense if you're planning to explore the South Downs properly. You're within easy reach of Brighton's seafront when you fancy fish and chips, but far enough out to wake up to birdsong rather than traffic.