Lan Hill

Lan Hill rises out of the Wiltshire countryside just a couple of miles north of Chippenham, and it's the sort of walk that rewards you without demanding much. The summit sits at 228 metres - nothing dramatic by mountain standards, but high enough to give you proper views across the Cotswolds and down towards Bath when the weather plays ball.

The climb itself takes about twenty minutes from the nearby car park, following a well-trodden path through beech woodland that's genuinely lovely in autumn. You get the sense of actually going somewhere without the knee-destroying slog of bigger hills. At the top there's a trig point and enough space to sit about for a bit with a flask.

Walkers will find it worth the detour, especially if you're staying at one of the nearby caravan sites like Plough Lane or The Moors - both within spitting distance. It's the kind of walk families with young legs can manage without complaints, though toddlers might find the climb tedious. The real appeal is how it slots into a broader walking circuit around Chippenham rather than being a destination in itself.

Go early if you can; by midday on weekends it gets a bit busy with locals who clearly know what they're doing. Weather matters here - grey days flatten the view entirely, so check the forecast first. Allow about ninety minutes total from car park to top and back down.