Buxton Hill

Buxton Hill sits just a few miles outside Shrewsbury, a proper Shropshire peak that rewards a bit of leg work. It's not a dramatic summit - you won't find alpine vistas or dramatic rock formations - but the views across the Shropshire plain are genuinely worth the walk, especially on a clear day when you can pick out the Wrekin in the distance.

The ascent is straightforward enough, marked paths lead you up through farmland and patches of woodland. Depending on which route you take, it'll take between 45 minutes and an hour and a bit. Families with older kids will manage it fine, though younger ones might flag. There's a sense of real achievement at the top that the casual stroll doesn't quite deliver.

Walkers and landscape photographers get the most from Buxton Hill. The surrounding countryside rolls gently away, and on quieter days you'll barely see another soul - rare for somewhere so close to Shrewsbury town centre. If you're based at one of the nearby campsites - Sunrise Pods and Eastridge Glamping are barely three miles away - it's an excellent half-day excursion without needing to drive far.

Admission is free, naturally. There's no visitor centre or facilities at the summit itself, so pack water and sensible footwear. Go early morning or late afternoon for the best light. It won't keep you occupied all day, but as part of a broader walking holiday in the area, it's absolutely worth fitting in.