Colborough Hill

The walk up Colborough Hill rewards you with proper views across Leicestershire - on a clear day you can see for miles. It's not a dramatic fell or anything, but for the East Midlands this counts as something worth the effort. The hill itself is manageable, a decent stride from Leicester that takes most people under an hour depending on fitness and how many times you stop to look around.

This is walker territory, really. Families with older kids will manage it fine, but toddlers might find it a bit tedious without the payoff of a summit cafe or visitor centre. What you get is countryside - proper open ground - and the satisfaction of reaching the top. The views are the whole point here. On overcast days it's less compelling, but when the weather's with you it's excellent.

You could easily combine this with a stay at one of the nearby parks - Emily's Cut Camping is practically on your doorstep at half a mile away, while Fox's Furrow and Village Farm Getaway give you more space if you're after a longer break. It's a natural fit for a walking holiday based around Leicester. Allow a couple of hours round trip including a breather at the top. There's no charge for the walk itself, and you don't need any special kit beyond decent boots. Go on a weekday if you can - weekends get busier and half the point of walking is a bit of peace.