Blackweir Hill

The view from Blackweir Hill catches you properly off guard. You're expecting Hertfordshire hills to be modest affairs, and they are - but stand up here east of Chingford and you'll understand why locals bother with the walk at all. It's not Alpine drama, but on a clear day the ridge offers genuine sight-lines across the valley, and that matters when you're this close to London's sprawl.

Walkers make up most of the crowd here. It's the sort of place you'd tack onto a longer ramble rather than drive out for solo, though the climb from nearby Chingford is straightforward enough if you're not after anything punishing. The hill itself is bare enough that you'll feel the wind, which keeps things fresh even when the south of England's cooking.

If you're camping at Lee Valley Campsite or Fowley Mead Park - both within easy striking distance - Blackweir Hill works as a half-morning detour before heading back for lunch. Theobalds Park, further west, offers more manicured grounds if you want softer walking, but Blackweir gives you actual elevation and proper views without the faffing about. No facilities up top, so bring water. The ground's often damp in winter, and it can get muddy after rain, so come prepared. Worth the walk? Yes, but mainly as part of something bigger rather than a destination in itself.