Beacon Hill

The walk up Beacon Hill takes about twenty minutes if you're not dawdling, and the effort pays off properly. You're looking at Hampshire's highest point - only 286 metres, but the views across the New Forest and beyond make it feel like proper countryside up there. On a clear day you can see right across to the Isle of Wight, which is the sort of thing that makes the leg-work feel worthwhile.

It's free to access and no special equipment needed - just decent walking boots because the path gets muddy when it rains, which let's be honest, it usually does. The summit has an old beacon marker (hence the name) and a trig point if you're into that sort of thing. You'll probably spend thirty minutes up there taking photos and catching your breath before heading back down.

Families with kids aged eight and up will manage the walk without complaint, though younger children might find the climb tedious. It's proper walker territory rather than a casual stroll. The real draw is the sense of elevation and the views - nothing dramatic, but genuinely lovely on a good day.

Stay at one of the nearby sites like Holden Farm or Beechen Glamping, both within four miles, and you've got the New Forest on your doorstep. Beacon Hill works well as a morning walk before exploring the forest proper or heading into Southampton. It's the kind of half-day addition that rounds out a park holiday nicely rather than a destination in itself.