Crown Hill

Crown Hill doesn't sound like much - a peak in Hertfordshire near Waltham Cross - but it's a proper little vantage point if you're passing through the area. At around 500 feet, it's hardly Alpine, yet the walk up rewards you with views across the Lee Valley and far enough on a clear day to spot the edges of North London sprawling away to the south. The climb itself is straightforward, taking twenty minutes or so from the base, and the paths are well-maintained enough that families with reasonable fitness won't struggle. You're not looking at an all-day expedition here - more like a solid hour including time to catch your breath and scan the horizon. History buffs might appreciate that you're standing on ancient territory where Hertfordshire's landscape rolls out beneath you, though there's precious little signage to explain what you're looking at. It's the sort of spot that works brilliantly if you're based at one of the Lee Valley campsites - Sewardstone or Dobbs Weir are both within four miles - and you need a proper walk that breaks up a day of caravan living without eating up your afternoon. Fowley Mead Park sits closest at 3.5 miles. The peak itself is free to access, naturally. Go mid-week if you can; weekends bring the local dog walkers in force. Don't expect a café at the top or any visitor facilities - bring your own water and settle in for the views. It's not destination material on its own, but as part of a Lee Valley holiday it's genuinely worth the detour.