Blackwater Hill

The highest point in Christchurch doesn't announce itself with much fanfare, which is rather the appeal. Blackwater Hill sits at a modest elevation - nothing to make Alpine climbers break a sweat - but it's a decent walk and the views across the Dorset countryside are genuinely rewarding once you're up there.

It's the kind of spot locals know and visitors stumble upon by accident. The walk up takes about 20 minutes from the nearest car park, depending on your fitness and the route you choose. You'll get decent 360-degree vistas across the New Forest to the north and toward Christchurch town to the south. On a clear day you can see properly far. On a drizzly one, well, it's still a good leg-stretcher.

Families with walkers aged eight and up will manage it without complaint. It's not arduous, but it's not a stroll either. History types might appreciate that you're standing on one of the ancient heights that shaped settlement patterns in the area. Serious hikers will find it a useful waypoint rather than a destination in itself.

If you're staying at any of the holiday parks within a few miles - Meadowbank Holidays is barely a mile away - it's absolutely worth the detour. Pair it with a wander through Christchurch town centre and you've got a solid afternoon. Free to access, obviously. Go early morning if you want to dodge other walkers, though it's rarely rammed. Allow an hour total if you're taking photos and having a proper look around.