Heydon Hill

The walk up Heydon Hill rewards you with proper views across the Quantock Hills. It's not particularly high - you're looking at around 350 metres - but the payoff is a clear vantage point that stretches across Somerset when the weather cooperates. From Taunton it's a straightforward drive west towards the Quantocks, and the hill sits within reach of both Waterrow Touring Park and Middle Stone Farm Glamping if you're basing yourself in the area.

What you get here is honest walking country. The ascent is manageable rather than punishing, making it popular with families who don't want their kids mutinying halfway up. The ground underfoot varies - grassy stretches, some woodland sections, the occasional boggy patch after rain. There's a real sense of achievement once you summit it, largely because you've earned the visibility without spending four hours slogging uphill.

Go midweek if you can. Weekends see the Quantocks fairly busy with hikers, and Heydon Hill's popularity means solitude isn't guaranteed. Early autumn works brilliantly - the light's kinder and you avoid peak summer foot traffic. Allow two to three hours including descent, depending on your pace. The local holiday parks make it an easy slot into a broader Quantock Hills itinerary. You could comfortably combine this with other walks in the range without overloading your trip. Free access, naturally. Bring decent boots though - those boggy sections are genuine.