Grinshill

Grinshill rises abruptly from the Shropshire countryside just north of Shrewsbury, a proper little escarpment that catches you off guard when you round the corner. It's not a monster - barely 300 metres - but the views across the rolling farmland and towards the Welsh border make it worth the short scramble up.

The walk itself takes about thirty minutes up and the same back down, depending on which route you fancy. You'll find yourself among gritstone outcrops and heather, with paths that vary from straightforward to genuinely rocky underfoot. It's the kind of place where you get proper views without needing a full day's commitment, which suits families with younger kids reasonably well, though the steeper bits might test those under eight.

Historically, the stone quarried here helped build much of Shrewsbury's character. You'll notice the old workings as you climb - part of the landscape's story, really.

If you're based at one of the nearby caravan parks - Sunnyside Farm is closest at just 2.6 miles - Grinshill makes a brilliant morning excursion before heading into town or tackling one of the longer walks in the area. Best visited in late spring or early autumn when the light's gentler and the midges aren't out in force. Free to visit and accessible year-round, though winter mud can be a nuisance after rain.