Clunch Pit Hill

Clunch Pit Hill isn't going to take your breath away - it's barely 40 metres of elevation gain near Cambridge - but that's rather the point. This former chalk extraction site has been left to do its own thing, and what's emerged is a proper little nature reserve with commanding views across the Cambridgeshire flatlands.

The walk up takes maybe ten minutes from the car park, and the summit rewards you with sight lines that stretch for miles when the weather cooperates. On a clear day you can pick out the Gog Magog Hills further south. The chalk grassland supports some decent wildflowers through spring and early summer, and it's genuinely peaceful - you won't be jostling for elbow room.

It's ideal for families with younger kids who want a proper "peak" experience without needing proper fell boots. Walkers using the nearby Shepreth Mill or Cambridge Cherry Hinton campsites could easily slot this in as a half-hour detour. The ground can be muddy after rain, and there's not much shelter, so pick a decent day.

If you're camping in the Cambridge area - and there's no shortage of options within three or four miles - Clunch Pit Hill makes a decent morning stroll before heading into the city proper. Don't expect Instagram moments, but do expect honest countryside and a bit of genuine solitude. That's rarer than it should be these days.