Boltons Bench

Parking up near Lyndhurst and tramping through the heather brings you to one of the New Forest's finest viewpoints. Boltons Bench sits at 129 metres above sea level - not exactly towering, but high enough to give you proper views across the ancient woodland and open heath that makes this corner of Hampshire so special.

Families with older kids will appreciate the relatively gentle walk, though little ones might find the trek a bit much depending on which route you take. The reward at the top is worth it: on a clear day you can see right across to the Isle of Wight, with the forest canopy rolling away beneath you like a green carpet.

History buffs should know this spot has been a landmark for centuries - the name suggests it was once someone's favourite perch, probably a local landowner called Bolton. Today it's open access, so you can visit any time without paying a penny.

Allow a couple of hours for the round trip from Lyndhurst, including time to actually enjoy the view rather than just snap a photo and leg it. Early morning visits often reward you with deer grazing in the clearings below. The location makes it a cracking addition to a New Forest camping trip - you're within easy reach of sites like Hollands Wood or Roundhill if you fancy making a proper weekend of it.