Crane Hill

The walk up Crane Hill, just outside Cheltenham, rewards you with proper views across the Cotswolds if you catch it on a clear day. It's not a dramatic peak - nothing like the Welsh hills - but the climb itself is straightforward enough that families with older kids won't struggle, and the summit gives you a genuine sense of having earned the effort.

You get views south towards Tewkesbury and the wider valley floor, which is the real appeal here rather than any dramatic rock formations or rare plants. On a misty day you'll see very little, so timing matters. The walk takes around 45 minutes up from the nearest access point, give or take depending on your pace and where you start.

It works well as a morning outing if you're camped at Winchcombe or Cheltenham Racecourse, both nearby. Pair it with the Cotswolds walks in the area - you're close enough to make this a half-day venture rather than a major expedition. Serious hill walkers might find it a bit tame, but anyone after a gentle climb with a payoff will get their money's worth of fresh air.

Historically, there's less to it than some Cotswold peaks - no Iron Age fort or ancient monument to poke about. It's purely about the walk and the views from the top. Free to access, naturally, and no facilities at the summit, so bring water and something to eat if you want to sit up there for a bit.