Headon Hill

Standing at 98 metres above the chalk cliffs of West Wight, this grassy summit offers some of the island's most dramatic coastal views. The walk up from Totland Bay takes about 20 minutes through gorse-covered slopes, and while it's not exactly Everest, the gradient will get your heart pumping. Worth every step though.

From the top, you can see straight across The Solent to the Hampshire mainland, with the Needles lighthouse glinting white to your right. On clear days, the view stretches all the way to Dorset's coastline. Families with older children will manage the climb easily enough, though toddlers might need carrying towards the summit.

What makes this spot special is how uncrowded it remains despite the spectacular panorama. Most visitors stick to the more famous Needles viewpoint, leaving Headon Hill refreshingly peaceful. The downside? No facilities whatsoever up here, so bring your own refreshments.

If you're staying at one of the nearby holiday parks like Tapnell Farm or Heathfield Farm Camping Park, this makes an excellent morning or evening walk. The golden hour light across the water is particularly lovely, and you'll often spot red squirrels in the woodland at the base. Just watch the cliff edges - they're proper steep and can crumble.