Broom Hill

The highest point in Essex sounds grander than it actually is, which is half the charm. Broom Hill sits just 482 feet above sea level near Aylesford - more of a pleasant hilltop walk than a mountaineering expedition. You get proper views across the Kent and Essex borders though, particularly on clear days when the horizon stretches far enough to make the modest elevation feel worthwhile.

It's the kind of place walkers in the area tick off rather than travel miles for specifically. The walk up takes maybe twenty minutes from the nearest access point, and there's something satisfying about reaching the highest ground in your county, even if nobody's going to mistake it for dramatic terrain. Families with younger kids might find it a touch anticlimactic after the build-up, but it works well as part of a longer ramble rather than a standalone visit.

The real draw is combining it with the nearby camping spots. Both Thamesview Camping and Kits Coty Glamping sit within five and a half miles, making Broom Hill an easy addition to a park-based holiday in the area. You won't need specialist kit or rope skills - just decent footwear and an hour of your time. Go on a weekday if possible; weekends can get busy with local walkers treating it exactly as it is: a straightforward hilltop stroll with a modest reward at the top. Free to visit, obviously - it's just a hill.