Beacon Hill Country Park

The views from Beacon Hill proper take your breath away on a clear day - you can see right across Leicestershire from up here, and on good visibility you'll spot the Pennines in the distance. It's a straightforward hilltop walk that doesn't demand much fitness, though the path does get a bit muddy after rain so proper boots help. The hill itself is open access land, so there's no gate fee or entry nonsense - just turn up and go.

This works brilliantly as a half-day outing if you're based at one of the nearby caravan parks - Bradgate Park, Charnwood Acres, or High Meadows Farm are all close enough for a morning hike. Families with older kids will manage it fine; younger ones might find the walk up tedious without something interesting to spot along the way. Walkers and landscape photographers get the most out of it, especially at sunrise or when the light's golden before dusk.

Allow two hours return from the car park if you're taking it easy, less if you're moving quickly. There's not much at the summit itself - no café, no visitor centre - so bring water and a snack. The real draw is the walk through the countryside and that panoramic payoff at the top. It's worth the trip if you're exploring Leicestershire's outdoor spaces around Leicester, though don't expect anything fancy. Just a good honest hill walk with proper views.