Carters Hill

The walk up Carters Hill rewards you with proper views across the Weald once you've done the climb from Tunbridge Wells. It's not a massive peak - nothing like the Lake District - but on a clear day you get real sight lines south towards Sussex, and that's enough to make the effort worthwhile.

The route itself is straightforward enough. From Tunbridge Wells town centre, you head out through woodland and across open ground to reach the summit. Allow a couple of hours for a leisurely walk there and back, longer if you're stopping to sit and take in the view. There's no visitor centre or facilities on the hill itself, so bring water and pack something to eat if you're planning to linger.

This is the sort of place that suits walkers who know what they're after - people who've already explored the common areas closer to town and fancy something with a touch more effort attached. Kids will manage it fine provided they're reasonable walkers, though there's not much to hold their attention once you're up there beyond the vista itself.

If you're based at one of the nearby parks like Thriftwood Country Park or Apple Acres Caravan & Camping Farm, Carters Hill works as a decent half-day outing. Combine it with a wander through High Rocks or the town's Georgian streets and you've got a solid day mapped out. Weather matters here - go when the visibility is good, or you'll spend your time squinting into murk.