Churn Hill

The walk up Churn Hill from Wallingford takes you through proper countryside - chalk downland that rolls gently at first, then gets its teeth into you as you climb. It's not a serious peak by any standard, but the views across the Thames Valley are genuinely worth the leg work, especially on a clear day when you can see right across to the Chilterns.

The summit itself is modest. No dramatic rocky outcrop or trigonometry point to get excited about, just grassland and the knowledge you've earned a decent vantage point. The real appeal here is the walk itself rather than any specific destination - it's the kind of route that feels like it belongs to you and twelve other people who actually know about it, not the Instagram hordes.

Walkers will find it rewarding, particularly those who like a gentle ramble with decent views. Families can manage it if the kids are reasonably mobile, though younger children might find the ascent tedious. It's not a quick sprint - allow a couple of hours there and back from Wallingford.

Timing matters less here than weather. Come on a misty day and you'll see nothing but grass. Pick a high-pressure morning and you've got something special. Spring and autumn offer the best visibility without summer crowds or winter mud.

If you're staying at Rolling Fields Glamping just down the road, this makes a cracking morning out before returning for lunch. Pair it with a walk along the Thames - Wallingford has that sorted - and you've got yourself a proper day in the Oxfordshire countryside.