Clay Hills

The walk up Clay Hills rewards you with proper views across the Hampshire countryside - nothing dramatic, but on a clear day you can see the Test Valley stretching out in both directions. It's a modest rise rather than a peak in the Alpine sense, but that's rather the point. The chalk grassland on the slopes is what draws people here, especially walkers from Stockbridge who fancy a leg-stretch without the full day commitment.

You're looking at a straightforward hillwalk that takes most people 45 minutes to an hour to reach the top and back down. The terrain's easy enough for families with older kids, though younger ones might find the final push tiresome. Bring decent footwear - it's muddy in wet weather, and the chalk can be slippery when damp.

There's no visitor centre or facilities at the top, so come prepared with water and snacks. The real appeal is the solitude and the chance to walk off a packed lunch before heading back to your accommodation. If you're based at The Meadow Glamping just down the road, this makes a decent morning activity that doesn't eat the whole day.

It's free access, which helps. Best visited in spring or autumn when the weather's stable - summer crowds aren't really an issue here, but the chalk gets baked hard. Winter's doable if the chalk dries out, but it can turn to skating rink conditions after frost. Not essential if you're short on time, but worth the detour if you're staying locally and the weather's cooperating.