Ford Down

Ford Down sits just a few miles north of Salisbury and gives you a proper Wiltshire vantage point without the crowds you'd get at Old Sarum. It's a modest chalk hill - nothing dramatic, but the walk up rewards you with sweeping views across the Avon valley and down towards the cathedral spire in the distance.

The climb takes about twenty minutes at a steady pace. Paths are clear enough, though it can get muddy after rain. History buffs will find this bit interesting: there's an Iron Age fort up here, though the earthworks are subtle - you need to know what you're looking at. For most people, it's about the walk itself and the space to breathe.

Who gets the most from it? Walkers exploring the chalk downlands around Salisbury, definitely. Families with children old enough for a half-hour ramble. It's not going to hold a five-year-old's attention for long, but as a leg-stretcher between other activities it works perfectly. Bring a picnic and sit up there for twenty minutes - that's when the place earns its keep.

There's no visitor centre or facilities, so go prepared. Parking is basic - a small pull-in near the base. If you're staying at Salisbury Camping and Caravanning Club Site or one of the other caravan parks nearby, Ford Down makes an easy morning out before heading into town for lunch. Free, accessible year-round, and genuinely worth the effort if you're already in the area.