Wytham Hill

The walk up Wytham Hill takes about twenty minutes from the car park, and it's proper steep in places - bring decent shoes. Once you're at the top, you get a cracking view across the Thames Valley towards Oxford. The hill itself is covered in beech woodland, so it's lovely for a forest walk even if the summit view disappoints on a hazy day, which it often does.

It's free to access and best done in autumn or early spring when the trees aren't blocking the sightlines. Families with older kids will manage fine - the younger ones might struggle with the climb. History types will appreciate that the woodland has been managed for centuries, though there's not much in the way of interpretation boards, so bring a guidebook or download the walk beforehand.

Allow an hour for the walk and views. It works well as part of a day trip from Oxford - combine it with a punt on the river or a walk through Port Meadow just north of the city. If you're staying at Valley Farm Campsite or Oxford Riverside Glamping, both close by, this is the sort of walk you'd do on your second day when the weather looks decent. Bablock Hythe Caravan Park is only a couple of miles away too, so you could easily fit it between other local walks.

Honestly? It's worth doing once, but don't drive an hour to get here specially. It's the kind of place you slot in when you're already in the Oxford area and want a brisk walk without complicated navigation.