Hackpen Hill

The walk up Hackpen Hill rewards you with a proper view across the Berkshire Downs - the sort of vista that makes you understand why people have been tramping up these chalk ridges for centuries. It's not a demanding climb, more of a steady plod from Wantage direction, and the summit sits at a modest height but feels significant once you're up there.

What you get is chalk grassland, ancient earthworks if you know what you're looking at, and on a clear day sight lines that stretch across the Downs. The hill itself is unremarkable in shape - nothing dramatic or craggy - but that's rather the point. These are walking hills, not climbing hills. Families with reasonable fitness will manage it fine; younger kids might find the return leg a bit of a slog if they're not used to countryside walking.

There's no visitor centre, no café, no facilities to speak of. You park near Wantage and walk. It's free, takes a couple of hours round trip depending on pace, and works brilliantly as a half-day excursion alongside exploring the market town itself. The nearest glamping options - Evelyns Garden Glamping and Lorne Hill Farm - both sit within striking distance, making Hackpen a natural addition to a Downs-based break.

Worth doing? Yes, particularly if you're staying locally and want proper air and a moment to see the landscape roll away. It's not a detour destination, but it's exactly what the Downs offer: straightforward walking, decent views, and that particular quiet you only get on chalk hills.