Hill summit

The walk up takes twenty minutes if you're not dawdling, and the views from the top sweep across the Cambridgeshire flatlands in a way that makes you understand why this spot matters. You can see for miles on a clear day - proper expansive stuff, the kind of horizon that reminds you the Midlands aren't entirely pancake-flat. Sandy sits just down the road, so it's an easy addition to a broader ramble around the area. The climb itself isn't punishing. It's the sort of hill that feels significant to the landscape without requiring fell-walking boots and a packed lunch.

Families with decent walkers will manage fine, though under-eights might need a bit of cajoling at the steeper bits. History types should know this has real roots in the local landscape - the kind of viewpoint that's mattered for centuries. In decent weather, it's worth the effort. In fog, frankly, you'll spend half an hour looking at nothing much and wondering why you bothered.

If you're staying at Cambridgeshire Lakes, this works as a morning outing before heading to the water activities. It's close enough - three and a bit miles - that you could combine it with an afternoon at the park itself. The real appeal here is perspective. After being at lake level, getting height and seeing the country roll out around you shifts your sense of the place. Free, naturally. No facilities to speak of, so bring water.