Alderton Hill

The walk up Alderton Hill takes you through proper Cotswolds country, with views that stretch across three counties on a clear day. It's not a mountain - we're talking 291 metres - but the climb from Tewkesbury direction is steady enough to earn those views. You'll pass through farmland and woodland, and the summit gives you that sudden sense of space that makes you understand why people bothered walking up in the first place.

This is one for walkers rather than families looking for attractions with facilities. There's no visitor centre, no café, no interpretation boards. What you get is fresh air, a decent leg-stretch, and genuine countryside. Allow 90 minutes to two hours from the nearest car park, depending on your route and fitness.

If you're camping at Winchcombe Camping & Caravanning Club just 1.3 miles away, it's an obvious morning walk before breakfast. The hill also works well as part of a larger Cotswolds loop - you could tie it in with the Cotswold Water Park trails or one of the longer walks around Broadway, which has several caravan sites within striking distance.

Best visited outside peak summer weekends when the paths feel less crowded. Spring brings bluebells in the woodland sections, which lifts an already decent walk into something worth planning around. Weather changes quickly up here, so bring a jacket even when it looks settled from the car park.