Dunton Hill

Dunton Hill is Essex's answer to those who fancy a proper walk without heading all the way to the Cotswolds. It's not exactly Alpine - we're talking around 140 metres at the summit - but on a clear day the views across the Dunmow countryside are genuinely worth the leg work.

You'll find it a straightforward hike from the village itself, taking anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour depending on fitness and how many times you stop to admire the rolling fields below. The walk is accessible enough for families with older children, though younger ones might struggle with the sustained gradient. Once you're up there, the panorama spreads out properly - distant woodlands, patchwork fields, and on a good day you can pick out landmarks miles away.

It's free to access and there's no particular time restriction, though obviously daylight matters. Spring and early autumn are cracking times to go - less likely to bog yourself into the ground, and the light sits beautifully across the landscape. Come winter and after rain, the path gets a bit slippery and muddy.

If you're based at one of the nearby campsites - Dairymeade Farm Glamping sits just 1.6 miles away, or Hill Farm campsite at 5.3 miles - this makes a decent half-day outing to break up the holiday routine. It's not a destination in itself, but combined with a wander around Dunmow town and perhaps a nearby country walk, it ticks a box.