Cleeve Hill

The highest point in the Cotswolds isn't some dramatic crag - it's a gently rolling grassland plateau that sneaks up on you without fuss. Cleeve Hill sits just north of Cheltenham and offers proper, expansive views across three counties when the weather plays ball. The common itself is open moorland, managed for grazing, and you can wander pretty much anywhere across the turf. It's the kind of place that feels bigger than it looks from the car park.

Walkers get the most from Cleeve Hill. There are several established routes across the plateau, ranging from a gentle half-hour stroll to a more ambitious two-hour circuit if you're keen. The edges have some decent viewpoints - particularly towards the May Hill and Forest of Dean on a clear day. It's windier up here than you'd expect, so come prepared. Families with younger kids might find the open space brilliant for letting them run about, though there's not much shelter if the weather turns.

It's free to visit and the car park is straightforward. Allow a couple of hours minimum if you want to do more than a quick walk. The ground can be boggy after rain despite the exposed feel - bring proper boots. Staying at one of the caravan sites closer to Cheltenham, like the Racecourse Campsite just 2.3 miles away, makes this an easy morning or afternoon sortie. It works well as a warm-up before tackling some of the steeper Cotswold walks nearby, or as a proper destination in its own right if you just want to clear your head.