Baldwins Hill

The walk up Baldwins Hill rewards you with views across the Lee Valley that stretch properly far on a clear day. It's not steep, not long, and absolutely doable with kids in tow - the sort of place you knock off in an hour before heading elsewhere. From the top you get a real sense of how the valley cuts through Hertfordshire, with Chingford sitting below and the landscape rolling away toward Essex. On weekends it can get a bit busy with local runners and dog walkers, which is fair enough given how close it is to town. The summit itself is modest - no dramatic viewpoint or café - but that's rather the point. It's genuine and unspoilt. Families with younger legs will appreciate the straightforward route and the payoff at the end. History types might find the geological side interesting, but there's not much in the way of plaques or stories up there. The best time to visit is early morning before the crowds arrive, or midweek if you prefer space. If you're staying at Lee Valley Campsite or Fowley Mead Park nearby, it's absolutely worth adding to your itinerary. Theobalds Park, a few miles further out, makes a decent follow-up stop if you're keen on getting more miles under your belt. Allow an hour return, more if you're dawdling and taking photos. Free to access, naturally.