Blissford Hill

Blissford Hill doesn't announce itself with fanfare, which is rather the point. This modest peak sits just outside Ringwood on the Wiltshire-Hampshire border, offering the kind of walk that rewards you without demanding your entire afternoon. The climb itself is straightforward - nothing that'll leave you gasping - but the views across the New Forest landscape are genuinely worth the effort.

It's the sort of spot where walkers actually belong. If you're the type who enjoys a proper ramble without scrambling or technical bits, this works well. The vantage point gives you a real sense of the terrain you've been moving through, and on a clear day you get decent sight lines across the forest canopy.

For families with younger kids, the walk itself is manageable, though whether they'll find the summit particularly thrilling depends entirely on what you've promised them at the top. There's no cafe, no visitor centre, no facilities - just the view and the quiet. History enthusiasts might find the wider landscape interesting given the area's connections to the New Forest, but Blissford Hill itself doesn't carry major historical baggage.

If you're basing yourself at one of the nearby campsites - Hill Cottage Farm in Fordingbridge is your closest option at 3.6 miles - this makes a sensible addition to a New Forest week. It slots easily into a day that might also include exploring Ringwood itself or tackling longer forest trails. Go in the morning before the afternoon crowds descend on the popular beauty spots.