Black Hill

The walk up Black Hill rewards you with one of those Somerset views that makes you forget you're in the Midlands of the south west. It's not technically the highest point around Minehead, but the 300-metre scramble gives proper 360-degree panoramas across the Bristol Channel towards Wales when the weather plays ball. On a clear day you're looking at Exmoor stretching out in one direction and the coast curving away towards Porlock in the other.

This is walker territory, plain and simple. The ascent takes about forty minutes from the nearest road, and the path gets steep enough that younger kids might need a hand. There's nothing manicured about it - no visitor centre, no café, just moorland and views. You'll want proper boots; the ground's boggy in places even when it hasn't rained recently.

Allow two hours for a comfortable round trip if you're not rushing. The real draw is the solitude and the light - morning sun hits it beautifully, though you'll also catch decent afternoon gold from the west. It's the kind of place that justifies a week staying at one of the holiday parks dotted around Minehead. Moorhouse Campsite is closest at less than 3 miles, while Butlins and Haven Doniford Bay give you more facilities if you're travelling with kids who need more than just views to entertain them.

Free to access, naturally. Worth the trip if you're already based in the area, less so if you're making a special journey from further afield.