Lodge Hill

The walk up Lodge Hill from Fareham takes about forty minutes if you're moving at a steady pace, and the payoff is a proper panoramic view across Hampshire's Meon Valley. It's not dramatically high - just 147 metres - but what it gives you is perspective. On a clear day you can see right across the South Downs, and on the way up you pass through beech woodland that's genuinely lovely in autumn.

This is walker territory, not a casual stroll. The climb is steady and the paths get muddy after rain, so decent boots matter. You'll see families with older kids and serious ramblers doing the circuit, which loops back down through farmland. The summit itself is unmarked - just a plateau with a few benches and the view. Allow two hours return if you're taking photos and having a breather at the top.

What makes it work as a park holiday base is the location near Fareham. You're close enough to use Rookesbury Park Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite or ScottsHaven Caravaning just down the road, meaning you can wake up and be on the hill within twenty minutes. It pairs well with exploring the Meon Valley itself - worth doing if you've got a car and want to mix walking with village pottering.

Free to access, no car park infrastructure to speak of, which means you'll be parking on the road near the trailhead. Go midweek if crowds bother you. Kids under ten will find the climb a bit much unless they're keen hikers.