Coombe Hill

At 961 metres, Coombe Hill is the highest point in the Cotswolds, and frankly, the walk up is worth it alone. From Dursley, it's a proper trek - roughly 45 minutes to an hour depending on fitness - but once you're up there, the view across the Severn Valley and into Wales on a clear day is genuinely stunning. You can see for miles.

It's not a manicured summit. There's no café, no shop, no fanfare. Just open moorland, wind, and space. That's rather the appeal. Families with older kids will manage it fine; younger ones might find the sustained climb tedious. Serious walkers love it because the terrain is genuine upland rather than tame parkland ramble.

The approach from the north or south varies in difficulty, so check your route before you set off. Spring and autumn are cracking times - less muddy than winter, less heaving with visitors than summer weekends. Allow a couple of hours round trip if you're not racing.

If you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Pepper Pot Caravan Park is closest at just over 3 miles away - Coombe Hill makes an excellent half-day excursion. Wixoldbury Farm Glamping and The Riverside at The George Inn work too, though they're a slightly longer drive. It pairs well with exploring Dursley itself or hitting the wider Cotswold walking network. Worth the detour? Absolutely, if you've got the legs for it.