Sapperton Hill

The walk up Sapperton Hill rewards you with proper views across the Cotswolds - the kind where you can actually see for miles on a clear day. It's not a dramatic peak, but that's rather the point. Coming from Cirencester, you're looking at a straightforward ramble through countryside that feels properly lived-in rather than picture-postcard twee.

The summit itself is modest - no trig point or dramatic stone cairn - but the vantage point over the valleys and woodland is genuinely worth the climb. On our visit, the walk took about an hour and a half from the village, with a steady gradient that keeps you moving without being knackering. Families with kids aged eight and up would manage it fine, though younger ones might find it a bit of a slog without distraction.

There's nothing much at the top in terms of facilities - no café, no visitor centre, just you and the landscape. That's rather the appeal. Go when the weather's cooperative; I've seen this hill disappear completely into Cotswold drizzle, which defeats the whole purpose.

Staying at one of the nearby campsites - Cirencester Park is closest at under four miles - makes this a natural addition to a wider walking holiday in the area. Pair it with exploring Cirencester itself and you've got a proper day sorted. The Cotswolds have plenty of higher hills if you're after proper altitude, but Sapperton works as a decent morning walk that doesn't demand your whole day.