Drove Hill

Standing at 164 metres, this unassuming chalk down offers surprisingly good views across the Dorset countryside without requiring serious hiking boots. The walk up from the nearest car parking spots takes about 20 minutes on well-worn paths, though it's a proper climb that'll get your heart rate up.

From the top, you can see across to Portland Bill on clear days, with the Purbeck Hills rolling away to the east. It's not the most dramatic peak in Dorset - that honour goes to Golden Cap - but it's far less crowded and gives you a genuine sense of the county's gentle landscape. The summit itself is fairly unremarkable, just open grassland with a few gorse bushes, but the 360-degree views make the effort worthwhile.

Families with older children will manage the ascent fine, though toddlers might struggle with the steeper sections. Dog walkers love it here, and you'll often have the place largely to yourself, especially on weekday mornings. Allow an hour for the round trip if you're taking your time.

If you're staying at one of the holiday parks near Dorchester like Warmwell or Crossways, it makes a lovely morning excursion before the day gets too hot. Best tackled early in summer when the chalk paths can get slippery in wet weather.