Cam Long Down

The walk up Cam Long Down rewards you with views across the Severn Valley that stretch for miles on a clear day. It's a proper hill rather than a gentle stroll - the path climbs steeply through woodland before opening out onto grassland where you can see right across to the Welsh hills. The summit itself is modest, nothing dramatic, but the walk justifies the effort.

This is one for legs and lungs rather than lazy tourists. Allow a good hour return trip from the car park at the base, depending on your fitness. The route suits families with older children and walkers who don't mind a bit of sweat for their views. Younger kids might find the steepness tedious, and it's not a spot to linger for hours - you'll eat your sandwiches and head back down.

It's free to access and best visited on a dry day when visibility is decent. Rain turns the path into a proper mud trap. The nearby market town of Gloucester sits just a few miles away, making this an easy half-morning activity if you're based at one of the local caravan parks - The Riverside at The George Inn and Pepper Pot are both well-rated options within striking distance.

If you're doing a parks holiday in Gloucestershire, combine this with walks around the Forest of Dean rather than treating it as a standalone. It works as a warm-up walk, genuinely, rather than your main event.