Beech Hill

The walk up Beech Hill from Winchester is one of those climbs that doesn't look much on the map but rewards you properly once you're up there. It's not a lung-buster - the peak sits only around 500 feet above sea level - but the views across Hampshire's chalk downs are genuinely worth the effort, especially on a clear day when you can see for miles across the Winchester valley.

The summit itself is crowned with beech woodland, which gives the place its name and creates a lovely canopy once you reach the top. There's a real sense of having gone somewhere, even though you've only climbed a moderate hill. The approach from Winchester takes around ninety minutes return if you're not rushing, though you can vary the route depending on which footpaths you fancy.

Walkers will love this one - it's a proper leg-stretcher without being brutal, and the woodland makes it interesting year-round. Families with older kids can manage it fine, though younger ones might find the climb tedious. History types will appreciate the Iron Age fort traces on the summit, though you need to know they're there to spot them.

If you're camping at Winchester Morn Hill or Hookpit Farm nearby, this makes an excellent morning walk before or after exploring Winchester's cathedral and high street. It's free to access and there are no time restrictions, so head up early if you want the place to yourself. The beech trees can be quite dense in summer, but spring and autumn offer the best light and clearer views across the valley.