Brackla Hill

The walk up Brackla Hill rewards you with proper views across the Vale of Glamorgan - on a clear day you can see right down to the coast near Porthcawl. It's not a dramatic peak, but that's rather the point. The climb takes about 40 minutes from the carpark, following a well-trodden path through open moorland with gorse and heather either side.

This is the sort of walk that works brilliantly for families who've had enough of flat seaside promenades. Kids aged eight and up won't find it tedious, and the summit isn't so high that toddlers get bored halfway. The views justify the effort without requiring serious scrambling skills or specialist kit.

Local history types will know this as the site of a former Iron Age fort - the earthworks are still visible if you know what you're looking for, though they're not signposted with much fanfare. That said, standing up there thinking about people defending this spot 2,000 years ago adds a bit of texture to the experience.

If you're staying at Trecco Bay Holiday Park just five miles away near Porthcawl, Brackla Hill makes a solid half-day option when the weather's decent. Go in the morning before it gets too crowded, particularly on weekends. The moorland can get boggy after heavy rain, so check conditions first. No facilities at the summit itself - bring water and a snack.