The Alton Barnes White Horse

The chalk figure carved into the steep slope above Alton Barnes village is massive - 261 feet tall and genuinely striking when you catch it from the right angle. It's one of England's younger white horses, cut in 1812, and there's something oddly compelling about walking up to it across the downland, especially on a clear day when you can see for miles across Wiltshire.

You won't spend hours here, but that's rather the point. It's a proper walk rather than a stroll - the hill's steep enough that you'll feel it in your legs - and the reward is standing at the top looking back across the chalk figure with the Marlborough Downs rolling out behind you. The views alone are worth the trek. The village itself sits in a quiet valley and has a pleasant church if you're passing through.

Historically minded types will appreciate the legend around its creation - locals claim it was cut overnight by a local lad to win a bet, though the actual story is less romantic. Families with young walkers can manage it, though expect complaints on the way up. There's no formal facility here, just open access to the hillside, so go early or late to avoid the school groups.

It pairs well with a camping break at Ridgeway Campsite or Little Owls Camping, both close enough that you could do this as a morning walk before heading somewhere else. The Kennet Valley around Marlborough has plenty of other downland walks if you want to string a few together, so this works best as part of a longer ramble rather than a destination in itself.