Park Hill

A short, sharp climb through beech woodland rewards you with views across Hampshire's rolling downs and, on a clear day, all the way to the South Downs. Park Hill isn't dramatic - it's 286 metres at best - but it's proper proper countryside, the kind of spot locals know and visitors often miss.

The walk takes around an hour from Petersfield town centre, depending on your pace and which route you take. Most people head up through the tree line and emerge onto open downland with proper 360-degree views. The descent is gentler than the climb, which makes it manageable for families with older kids, though younger ones might find the uphills tedious.

You'll see walkers and the occasional mountain biker, but it's rarely crowded. Peak season brings more footfall, but even then it feels refreshingly quiet compared to the bottlenecks further south. Winter can be muddy after heavy rain - the chalk soil drains reasonably well, but wear proper boots.

It's free, naturally, and works brilliantly as part of a longer South Downs circuit. If you're basing yourself at Cedar Valley or Hookpit Farm - both within easy reach - this makes for a morning outing. Combine it with a walk down to Queen Elizabeth Country Park for a fuller day. Walkers and serious hikers will get the most from it; casual tourists after five-minute viewpoints might feel it's not worth the effort, which is fair enough.