Scary Hill

The name alone makes you smile - Scary Hill sounds like something from a Roald Dahl book, though the reality is far less sinister. It's a modest peak in the Berkshire downs near Wantage, the kind of place that rewards a proper walk without demanding mountaineering skills. The views from the top sweep across the Vale of the White Horse, and on a clear day you can see for miles across rolling farmland and chalk downland.

Getting up there takes about thirty to forty minutes from the nearest car parks, depending on which route you choose. It's genuinely worth the effort. The path can be muddy after rain - wear decent boots - but the gradient's manageable for most fitness levels. This is walker territory, really, though families with older kids will manage fine. History buffs might find it interesting as part of the broader story of the Berkshire downs, though there's nothing specific to linger over once you're standing on top.

The climb itself is the main event. You're not paying anything to walk up a hill in England, which is one of the genuinely brilliant things about British countryside access. Allow an hour or so if you want to sit about and take in the views without rushing.

Staying at Evelyns Garden Glamping just 0.7 miles away makes this a natural addition to a park holiday in the area - pop out for a bracing walk before breakfast, back for coffee. Lorne Hill Farm and Nordic Glamping at Botswicky are also close enough for a morning adventure before settling into the rest of your day.