Bailey Hill

Bailey Hill rises sharply from the Flintshire landscape just south of Chester, a modest but properly rewarding peak that rewards the legwork with genuine views across the Welsh borderlands. The climb itself takes about half an hour from the base - steep enough to get your lungs working, gentle enough that most fit walkers won't struggle. From the summit you can see right across to the Dee Valley, and on a clear day the distant peaks start appearing on the horizon.

It's the kind of place that works brilliantly if you've got teenagers who need moving off their phones but aren't ready for a proper fell walk. The views are legitimate without being world-stopping, which sounds like faint praise but honestly makes it rather perfect - you've earned something real without needing to commit a full day to it. Families with younger kids might find the steep sections a bit much, though there's no scrambling to worry about.

The hill's free to access and you can tackle it any time - no gates, no nonsense. Allow a solid couple of hours if you want to sit about at the top and actually take in the views rather than just bagging the summit. It pairs well with a stay at either Honeypot Hideaways or Willow Farm, both within spitting distance, which means you can get out with proper energy rather than arriving knackered after hours in the car. Go midweek if you can stomach it - you'll have the place to yourself.