South Terrace

The walk up to South Terrace near Dursley takes you through proper Cotswold countryside, climbing steadily through woodland until the trees open out and suddenly you're standing on a ridge with the Vale of Gloucester laid out below. It's genuinely spectacular on a clear day - you can see right across the Severn Valley, and on a good visibility day, the Welsh hills are visible in the distance.

This is really a walkers' viewpoint rather than a drive-to destination. The terrace itself is a grassy plateau with a few benches, which means it's ideal if you're doing a longer hike in the area rather than a quick stop. Families with younger children might find the climb a bit much for the payoff, but teenagers and serious walkers will rate it. The views justifiably pull in people from across the region.

There's no visitor facility here - it's completely free and completely wild. Allow 30-45 minutes from Dursley town centre depending on your fitness. Early mornings are best for photography; late afternoon gives you the light behind you and less haze.

If you're based at Pepper Pot Caravan Park or Wixoldbury Farm Glamping, this slots neatly into a day walking the Cotswold Edge - it's one of several strong viewpoint walks in the area, and the terrace itself connects to longer trails heading north towards May Hill. Worth building into a walking itinerary, less worth a trip on its own.