Crowdhill

The walk up Crowdhill is a proper little workout, but you're rewarded with views across Hampshire that make the climb worthwhile. At 252 metres, it's hardly Alpine, yet on a clear day you can pick out the New Forest stretching away to the west and the sprawl of Southampton behind you to the south. The summit itself is straightforward - no scrambling, no technical bits - just a steady grind through woodland that opens up as you near the top.

It's an excellent spot for walkers based around Southampton who want something more substantial than a park stroll but don't fancy driving two hours to the South Downs. You'll manage the ascent and descent comfortably in under two hours, which makes it doable mid-morning or mid-afternoon without eating the whole day. Families with primary-age kids will find it challenging but not brutal; teenagers won't bat an eyelid.

If you're staying at Beechen Glamping just four miles away, this is precisely the sort of local walk that fills a morning brilliantly. The woodland paths are reasonable underfoot, though after rain it can get a bit muddy on the descent. Go midweek if you want peace - weekends pull in local runners and dog walkers.

Free to access, no facilities at the top, so bring water. The real appeal here isn't the destination - there's no cafe or viewpoint infrastructure - but rather the walk itself and that genuine sense of having earned the view.