Bean Hill

The walk up Bean Hill from Wincanton isn't particularly long, but it's steep enough that you'll feel it in your legs by the time you reach the top. Once you're there, the views across Somerset's rolling countryside are genuinely good - the kind of thing that makes you understand why people bother hiking in this corner of the county.

It's a proper walker's destination rather than somewhere you take the kids for fifteen minutes of entertainment. The hill itself is modest in height, but the sense of achievement at the summit feels earned. On a clear day you get real distance on your views, which makes the effort worthwhile. The path is manageable year-round, though it can get muddy after rain.

Wincanton sits close enough that you could easily work this into a morning's activity if you're based nearby. The nearby caravan sites at Longleat and Glamping on the Hill give you a decent base for exploring the area - Longleat House itself is worth a visit if you're passing through with family.

Give yourself an hour to get up and back down comfortably. Go early in the day if you want the hill to yourself, and take proper boots rather than trainers. The lack of facilities at the summit means you'll want to carry water.