Castle Rock

Scrambling up the limestone crags above Cheddar reveals why Victorian tourists made the journey here long before anyone had heard of the Mendip Hills as a holiday destination. Castle Rock juts out from the gorge's eastern rim like a medieval watchtower, offering the sort of panoramic views that make your legs wobble slightly when you peer over the edge.

From up here, the Somerset Levels stretch out like a green patchwork quilt, punctuated by the distinctive outline of Glastonbury Tor on clear days. Below, the famous Cheddar Gorge snakes through the landscape, while to the south you can trace the line of the M5 threading between Bristol and the coast. It's free to access and you can scramble about as much as you dare, though parents will want to keep a firm grip on adventurous youngsters near the cliff edge.

The climb takes about 20 minutes from Cheddar village if you're reasonably fit, following well-worn paths through the lower slopes before the final rocky scramble. Photography enthusiasts and geology fans get the most from it, though anyone staying at places like Cheddar Woods Resort or the various campsites dotted around will find it a cracking morning expedition. Just don't attempt it in wet weather - those limestone ledges turn treacherous when slippery.