Cholderton Hill

The walk up Cholderton Hill rewards you with proper views across Wiltshire downland - the sort of landscape that makes you understand why people settle here. It's not a dramatic peak, but it's a decent climb from the surrounding countryside near Salisbury, and the vantage point at the top lets you see the lie of the land for miles.

What you're doing is straightforward: hiking to a hilltop. No visitor centre, no cafe, no facilities to speak of. Just chalk grassland, the wind, and the kind of quiet you don't get in towns. The walk takes about an hour each way depending on your fitness and which route you take - there are a few options from the surrounding footpaths.

Walkers will get the most from this. Families with young kids might find the climb a slog, and unless your children are keen on "look, more fields", they'll be bored at the summit. But if you're already staying at Salisbury Hillside Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite for a week and you want a proper walk that isn't on every guidebook, this fits the bill.

Time it for late afternoon if you can - the light's better and the downland looks less featureless. Spring and early summer work best before the long grass gets too long. Allow two to three hours including time to sit at the top with a flask and actually take in the view rather than just ticking it off.