Bitton Hill

The walk up Bitton Hill from near Bath takes you through proper Somerset countryside - nothing dramatic, but the sort of place that rewards a casual afternoon rather than a planned expedition. The summit itself sits at a modest height, which means the views across the Avon Valley are pleasant rather than spine-tingling, but on a clear day you can see enough to justify the effort.

It's a straightforward ramble, the kind that works well if you're staying at Bath Mill Lodge Retreat and fancy stretching your legs without committing to a full day's hiking. The route is easy underfoot for most of the way, though it does get a bit boggy in patches after rain. Allow an hour and a half there and back if you're taking your time.

Historically minded visitors won't find much up there - no ruins or markers - but the landscape itself tells the story of traditional Somerset farming land. It's the sort of walk where you notice things: dry stone walls, the way the light changes across the valleys, the occasional buzzard overhead.

Families with primary-school kids will manage it fine; teenagers might find it a bit tame unless they're keen walkers already. The real value is fitting it into a longer park holiday, breaking up days of relaxation with something that gets you moving without being punishing. Go early if you can - the paths get busy on weekends, and morning light across the valley is superior anyway.