Barkers Hill

The walk up Barkers Hill rewards you with one of the cleanest views across Dorset's rolling countryside you'll find without breaking into a proper scramble. It's a modest rise just outside Shaftesbury, but that's rather the point - you get genuine panorama without the tourist crowds of the big-name peaks.

From the top you're looking out across farmland and woodland that stretches for miles, with Shaftesbury's old town sitting below you like a map. Clear days are spectacular; misty mornings have their own appeal if you're after something atmospheric. The walk itself takes maybe 45 minutes to an hour depending on your pace, and it's straightforward enough that families with older kids won't struggle, though younger ones might find the climb tedious.

There's no visitor infrastructure to speak of - no cafe, no gift shop, no tat. Just you, the hill, and the view. That's either brilliant or pointless depending on what you're after. I'd say it's brilliant. Go early if you can, or catch it towards dusk when the light turns golden across the hills.

If you're staying at Gold Hill Glamping nearby, this makes a cracking morning outing before heading into Shaftesbury for lunch. Works well as part of a wider walking loop through the area rather than a standalone destination. Worth the detour if you're in the region, not worth plotting a special trip just for this one.