Castle Hill

Getting to the top takes a proper climb, but Castle Hill rewards you with some of the finest views across the Severn Valley and into Wales. The ancient hill fort sits at 264 metres above sea level, just outside Stroud, and on clear days you can see the Bristol Channel sparkling in the distance. The earthwork ramparts date back to the Iron Age, though there's not much left to see beyond the raised banks that once formed the defensive walls.

Walkers will love this one - it's a decent workout getting up there, especially if you tackle the steepest route from Little Haresfield village. Families with older children should manage fine, but I wouldn't attempt it with a pushchair. The grassy summit plateau makes for a lovely picnic spot, though bring a windproof jacket as it can be blustery up top.

History enthusiasts might find it a bit sparse on visible remains, but the setting is dramatic enough to fire the imagination. You're standing where Iron Age settlers once scanned the valley for threats over two millennia ago. Allow about an hour for the round trip from the car park, longer if you're stopping for lunch at the top. Several glamping spots around Painswick and Stroud make decent bases for exploring this corner of the Cotswolds, with Castle Hill offering one of the area's most accessible hill walking experiences.