Bulkeley Hill

The view from Bulkeley Hill is worth the climb, even if the peak itself is modest by any serious hiker's standards. At around 450 metres, it's not going to have you gasping for air, but on a clear day the panorama across the Cheshire Plain toward Wales genuinely does something. On our visit the light was soft and grey - proper autumnal - which somehow made the rolling patchwork of fields and hedgerows feel more three-dimensional than any postcard version.

It's a straightforward walk from Chester, the nearest town, and the sort of place that works well if you're spending a few days in the area. The gradient is gentle enough that families with older kids won't find it punishing, though younger ones might protest the last stretch. Allow an hour up, half that coming down if you're not stopping. Free to access, obviously - it's a hill.

The surrounding countryside is what makes it worth the detour rather than the summit itself. If you're based at one of the nearby parks - Pitch & Canvas is closest at just over 2 miles away - you could easily tack this onto a longer walk across the wider landscape. Manor Wood, a few miles further out, gives you more scope for longer rambles if Bulkeley Hill alone feels too brief.

Go on a day when visibility is decent. Mist turns this into a fairly pointless stroll through fields. Spring and autumn are the better bets.