Thorncombe Hill

The walk up Thorncombe Hill from Holford takes about forty minutes if you're moving at a decent pace, and the effort pays off with views across the Quantock Hills that stretch for miles on a clear day. It's not a dramatic peak - nothing like the Lake District - but that's rather the point. The summit sits at around 1,000 feet, which means a proper moorland feel without the scrambling or the crowds.

What you get is open access to proper walking country. The paths are well-trodden and the going is straightforward, making it ideal for families with older kids or anyone after a half-day outing rather than a full expedition. The ridge itself feels genuinely wild in spots, with gorse and heather, and on grey days it has that moody Somerset charm.

Free to visit, naturally. There's a car park in Holford village where you can leave the car before heading up. Allow two to three hours return if you're taking your time and want to enjoy the view from the top.

It slots well into a wider Quantocks walking holiday - you could combine this with the nearby parks like Moorhouse Campsite or Haven Doniford Bay if you're basing yourself locally. The area works brilliantly for people who want proper walks without needing to travel to Snowdonia or Dartmoor. Thorncombe Hill itself won't take up your whole day, but that means you can easily fit it alongside other trails in the range. Worth doing on a decent weather day, though - mist rolls in quickly and kills the views entirely.