Lockyer's Hill

You get a proper sense of the Dorset landscape from the top of Lockyer's Hill, and that's really what you're after here. It's a modest elevation - nothing dramatic - but the walk up rewards you with views across the heathland and towards Wareham, the market town that sits just below. The hill itself is unremarkable in the traditional sense, no ruins or viewpoint structure, but that's almost the point. You're walking through genuine heath country, the kind of terrain that defines this part of Dorset.

Walkers will get the most from this one. It's the sort of climb that takes twenty minutes or so without being strenuous, making it ideal for families who want a bit of exercise without a full day's commitment. The views aren't panoramic theatre - they're understated, which is very much the Dorset way. Best visited when the heather is in bloom, though honest truth, it's not worth a special trip on its own.

If you're based at one of the caravan parks around Wareham - Wareham Forest Tourist Park is barely two miles away - this works nicely as a half-hour diversion from a longer afternoon out. Pair it with a wander around Wareham itself or head further into the Purbeck hills if you want something with more drama. Free to visit, of course, being a natural hill with no formal facilities. You won't need anything more than decent walking shoes and perhaps thirty minutes of your time.