Farmborough Common

The walk up Farmborough Common rewards you with proper views across the Somerset levels - the kind of horizon that stretches for miles on a clear day. It's not a dramatic crag or a famous peak, but it's the sort of place locals know and visitors often miss entirely, which is rather the point.

The common itself is moorland with a scatter of gorse and heather, manageable enough for families with decent boots and weather-dependent energy. The paths are well-trodden if a bit muddy in winter. Allow an hour for the main walk unless you're the lingering type, in which case you could happily camp on the summit with a flask and watch the light change. On good days you'll see across to the Mendips. The views aren't jaw-dropping, but they're honest.

This works best for people who like a gentle walk without the tourist crowds - walkers mostly, and families after something achievable. Children under six might find it a bit of a slog depending on their legs. You'll need to check locally for any seasonal closures, though the common is typically accessible year-round.

If you're based at Bath Mill Lodge Retreat just outside Bath, Farmborough Common is barely twenty minutes away and makes an excellent morning outing before heading into the city proper. It's the sort of walk that makes you feel you've properly explored Somerset, not just ticked off the guidebook spots.