Poulton Hill

The walk up Poulton Hill is straightforward enough, a modest climb that rewards you with decent views across the Cotswold fringe toward Swindon. It's not dramatic - you won't get that gasp-of-air moment you'd experience on something like Symonds Yat - but on a clear day it's a pleasant spot to get your bearings of the landscape.

Families with younger kids might find it a bit underwhelming as a destination in itself. The summit doesn't have a café, visitor centre, or anything to linger over. Say twenty minutes to the top if you're moderately fit, then what? You've got a view and that's about it. However, walkers tackling longer routes through the area will find it a useful waypoint, and it's the kind of place where you can actually see where you've come from and where you're headed.

If you're camped at Second Chance or Hoburne Cotswold - both within a few miles - it's worth tacking on as part of a bigger circular walk rather than as a standalone trip. The approach is easier than many peaks in the region, making it good for building confidence with younger legs. Go in winter when the deciduous trees are bare and you'll see more of the valley; summer crowds and foliage can obscure the actual reason you came.

Free to access, naturally. Allow an hour if you're taking it leisurely and want to actually enjoy the views rather than just bag the summit and move on.