Dorridge Hill

The walk up Dorridge Hill rewards you with proper panoramic views across the New Forest and beyond - nothing dramatic, but on a clear day you can see why locals bother with it. It's the sort of modest peak that doesn't announce itself loudly, which is rather the point. You're not scrambling over rocks or dealing with dramatic drops. Just a straightforward climb through woodland and open heath with the payoff at the top.

Historians will appreciate the Bronze Age barrow that sits up there - evidence that people have been making this particular journey for millennia. Families with reasonably fit kids will find it manageable, though the walk isn't trivial and younger children might flag before the summit. Dog walkers make it their business, as do serious hikers treating it as a waypoint on longer New Forest routes.

The nearest proper base is Ringwood, about three miles away. Camp at Fernwood Glamping or Hill Cottage Farm if you want easy access, though Ocknell and Longbeech offer slightly cheaper options if budget matters. Allow two to three hours return for the walk itself, depending on pace and how long you linger at the top.

Timing matters here. Go early on a weekend to avoid the crowds that gather in good weather, or visit midweek when the New Forest feels genuinely remote. Winter walks are particularly rewarding - the bare trees open up views that summer foliage obscures. Not essential viewing, but solid value if you're already exploring the area.