Cleeve Hill

The walk up Cleeve Hill takes about forty minutes from the car park, and it's worth every step. You're climbing onto the Mendips proper here, the limestone spine that runs through Somerset like a backbone, and once you crest the top you can see why people have been coming up here for centuries.

It's not dramatic in the Alpine sense - you won't gasp at jagged peaks or plunging valleys. What you get instead is proper walking country: wide open moorland that stretches for miles, with the Severn Estuary visible on clear days and the Bath hills rolling away to the south. The trig point marks the highest point, and the views reward the effort without making you feel like you've conquered anything impossible.

This is a walker's spot, no question. Families with young legs will enjoy it, though under-fives might find the sustained climb tedious. If you're based at one of the nearby camps - The Batch is only 3.5 miles away, or Mendip Basecamp if you want proper facilities - this makes an excellent morning out before lunch. Allow two to three hours if you're not rushing.

The heath itself is relatively quiet compared to other Mendip summits. You'll see the occasional rambler but rarely crowds. Free to visit, naturally - it's moorland. Go on a clear morning if possible; the mist can roll in fast and spoil the view. Bristol is close enough for a weekend trip, making this an easy fit with exploring the wider area.