Sandford Hill

Standing 362 metres above the Mendip Hills, this modest summit offers proper views across Somerset without the crowds you'll find at nearby Cheddar Gorge. The walk up from Winscombe is gentle enough for most fitness levels, though it's still a decent stretch that'll get your heart rate up. Once at the top, you can see right across the Somerset Levels on a clear day, with the Bristol Channel glinting in the distance. It's particularly lovely at sunset when the light catches the patchwork fields below. Walkers and dog owners get the most from this spot - families with young children might find the trek a bit much, especially if the little ones are already tired from other Mendip adventures. There's no visitor centre or facilities up here, just open moorland and big skies, which is exactly the point. The hill connects well with other Mendip walks if you're feeling energetic, or makes a good standalone afternoon outing if you're staying at one of the nearby campsites around Cheddar. Allow a couple of hours for the round trip, including time to properly appreciate the views at the top. Best avoided in thick fog or heavy rain when visibility drops to nothing.