Compton Hill

The walk up Compton Hill rewards you with one of the clearest views across the Wiltshire downs - on a decent day you can see for miles. It's not the highest point around Devizes, but it's properly accessible and doesn't require scrambling or technical bits. The summit itself is fairly bare and windswept, so bring a jacket even when it looks calm from the car park.

This is a solid choice for families who don't fancy anything too strenuous, and walkers will appreciate it as a warm-up leg if you're planning something longer. History types won't find much to gnaw on at the top itself - no ancient markers or explanations - but the landscape tells its own story if you know how to read it. The downs roll away in every direction, and Devizes sits below like a model village.

You're looking at maybe forty-five minutes to an hour for the round trip, depending on pace and how long you linger at the top. There's no admission charge and no facilities to speak of, so bring water. Early morning or late afternoon light is genuinely lovely for photography.

If you're camping at Blackland Lakes - just 3.7 miles away - this makes an easy morning outing before returning for lunch. Honey Bee Glamping is a touch further at 5.6 miles, but still close enough for a quick leg-stretch break from the campsite. Either way, it's the sort of viewpoint that punctuates a proper walking holiday rather than dominating it.