Marleycombe Hill

The walk up Marleycombe Hill rewards you with proper views across the Wiltshire downland - the sort of landscape that makes you understand why people fought over this corner of England for centuries. It's not a slog, more a pleasant amble, and from the top you can see for miles if the weather plays ball. On a clear day, you'll spot the spire of Salisbury Cathedral sitting in the distance, which gives you a real sense of where you are geographically.

This is working farmland, not a tourist attraction with signs and a car park, so come prepared. The walk takes about an hour there and back depending on your pace and how long you linger at the summit. Families with decent legs will manage it easily; small children might find it a bit of a trudge. History types get a kick from walking the same ridges that Bronze Age people would have known, though there's nothing obvious to see up there - it's more about the feeling of the place.

If you're staying at Chalke Valley Camping just down the road, this becomes an obvious morning walk. Summerlands and Coombe are slightly further afield but still reasonable drives. There's no admission fee - it's public footpaths - and no facilities up top, so bring water. Spring and early summer are nicest; winter can be muddy and miserable. Go for the walk itself rather than expecting dramatic views or structures. It's the kind of place that works best when you're not in a rush.