Belton Hills

The hills themselves rise unexpectedly from the flat Essex landscape near Benfleet, which is reason enough to seek them out if you're staying at Haven Kent Coast Holiday Park. They're modest in height but proper striking when you're used to pancake-flat terrain. The views across the Thames estuary stretch on for miles once you've climbed up - industrial riverside works dotting the horizon, but somehow that's part of the appeal rather than against it.

Walking here takes between 45 minutes to two hours depending on how many vantage points you stop at. The paths are straightforward, though can get muddy after rain, so decent footwear matters. It's the kind of place that rewards a slow morning rather than a rushed afternoon visit. Families with children aged seven or upwards will find it manageable; younger kids might struggle with the sustained slope and lack of obvious "attractions" to hold their attention.

Historically, the area has had its share of human activity - there are hints of old industrial use if you know where to look, though there's no formal interpretation. This is more about landscape than narrative. The real draw is fresh air, space, and surprising elevation in an otherwise unremarkable corner of Kent. Worth the 10-minute drive from your caravan if you fancy a proper walk without tramping around yet another country house. Not Instagram-famous, and that's entirely the point.