Ratlinghope Hill

Climbing 1,306 feet above the Shropshire countryside, this modest peak delivers views that punch well above its weight. Ratlinghope Hill sits in the Long Mynd range, offering panoramic vistas across the Welsh borders without the crowds you'll find on more famous summits. The walk up is a proper leg-stretcher - about an hour of steady climbing through heather and bracken - but nothing too taxing for anyone with reasonable fitness.

From the top, you can spot the Stiperstones ridge to the west and rolling farmland stretching towards Shrewsbury. It's particularly lovely at sunset when the light catches the patchwork fields below. Keen walkers often tackle this as part of a longer ridge walk, but it works perfectly well as a standalone afternoon hike.

Families with older children will manage fine, though little ones might find the terrain a bit much. The paths can be boggy after rain, so decent boots are essential. There's no charge for the privilege, naturally, and you can park at the base near the village of Ratlinghope.

If you're staying at one of the nearby campsites like Brow Farm or the glamping spots around Church Stretton, this makes an excellent morning expedition before the day gets too hot. Allow three hours return for a leisurely pace.