Broom Hill, Hadleigh

The walk up Broom Hill rewards you with one of Suffolk's best views across the valley - on a clear day you can see for miles. It's a proper vantage point, the sort of place locals bring visitors to make them understand why they've chosen to live here rather than somewhere flashier. The hill itself isn't dramatic; there's no dramatic summit structure or visitor facilities, just open grassland and the sense of elevation that comes from being somewhere genuinely high for this part of East Anglia. Most people manage it in under an hour from the carpark near Hadleigh, though you'll want longer if you're taking photos or just sitting about with a flask.

It works brilliantly as a half-day outing alongside Polstead Country Park, which sits just 2.4 miles away and offers proper woodland walks if you want more substantial hiking. Families with older kids do well here - younger ones might find it a bit of a plod for not much payoff at the top. The view is the entire point, so go when the weather's settled and visibility is decent. Overcast days and Broom Hill are a dull combination.

This isn't a landmark with car parks, gift shops, or interpretive boards. Bring proper footwear because the path gets squelchy, and check conditions before you head out. It's the sort of walk that reminds you why people ramble - simple, rewarding, and free.