Boughton Hill

Boughton Hill rises just outside Northampton, a modest summit that doesn't pretend to be something it isn't. You're looking at roughly 400 feet of elevation - nothing to write home about in mountain terms, but in this flat corner of Northamptonshire it reads as proper viewpoint terrain. The walk itself is straightforward, taking you through decent countryside with decent views across the Nene Valley when you're not squinting through the weather.

It's the sort of place where walkers come to stretch their legs rather than conquer peaks. Families with young kids will find it manageable enough for an afternoon outing, though there's not a huge amount to detain you once you've taken the view in. History types might appreciate that you're walking ground that connects to Northampton's broader landscape, but don't expect dramatic ruins or anything like that.

The main appeal is as a quick break from the caravan parks clustered nearby - Sandy Hill Farm is just 2.4 miles away, and Billing Aquadrome sits at 3.7 miles. If you're based at any of these sites for a week, Boughton Hill fills a damp Tuesday afternoon perfectly well. It's free, obviously, and you can do it in under two hours including standing about taking photos. Go early morning or late afternoon if you want any chance of light hitting the view properly. Midday makes the whole thing feel a bit flat, even if technically you're standing on a hill.