Ansty Down

The walk up Ansty Down rewards you with proper views across the Wiltshire chalklands, though it's hardly a secret among locals. From Salisbury, it's an easy drive out to this modest peak that sits on the border between downland and farmland. You get the kind of 360-degree sight lines that make you understand why ancient peoples favoured these heights - on a clear day you can trace the landscape for miles, all rolling greens and distant tree lines.

It's a straightforward climb, nothing technical, and takes maybe twenty minutes from the car park area. The ground can be muddy after rain, so proper boots help. There's no visitor centre or cafe, which means fewer crowds but also that you need to bring your own supplies if you're planning to linger. Walkers will get the most from it - history types less so, unless they're keen on Iron Age earthworks and the broader story of Wiltshire's downland.

Give yourself an hour here, longer if you want to sit and absorb the views properly. It works brilliantly as part of a broader walking holiday in the area. Chalke Valley Camping sits just 3.5 miles away and offers the kind of base that makes morning walks like this genuinely enjoyable rather than a schlep. The nearby Marshwood Farm Camping at 6 miles gives you slightly more distance but equally decent facilities. Both camps make Ansty Down feel like a natural waypoint rather than a destination in itself.