Combe Hill

The walk up Combe Hill rewards you with one of the finest views across the South Downs, though it's not a secret anymore. From Petersfield, you're looking at a proper leg-stretcher - the kind of hill that makes your thighs complain on the way up but feels absolutely worth it once you're standing at the top gazing across Hampshire's rolling countryside.

It's a straightforward climb rather than a technical route, which means families with decent stamina will manage it fine. Expect the walk to take a couple of hours return, depending on your pace and how long you loiter at the summit. The views are genuinely superb - clear skies will reward you with panoramic Downland vistas that stretch for miles. Walkers absolutely should include this in an itinerary; history enthusiasts will find the landscape itself tells the story of how this area has been farmed and shaped for centuries.

If you're based at Adhurst Yurts just two miles away, you've absolutely struck gold. The combination works brilliantly - spend your morning hiking Combe Hill, then return to the yurts knowing you can potter about the artisan workshops or simply collapse with a cup of tea. It's that rare setup where your accommodation genuinely enhances the local exploration rather than just being somewhere to sleep.

The hill is open year-round and costs nothing to visit. Spring and early autumn offer the best light and conditions, though even a winter walk up here can be atmospheric if you don't mind the cold.