Fox Hill

Climbing Fox Hill feels like conquering a proper mountain until you realise it's only 113 metres high. This modest peak sits just outside Lyndhurst in the New Forest, offering surprisingly decent views across the ancient woodland for such a gentle ascent.

Walkers will find the trek up well worth the effort - it's hardly Everest, but the panoramic sweep over the forest canopy is lovely on a clear day. The path winds through typical New Forest terrain of heather, gorse and scattered oaks, with the occasional pony wandering past looking thoroughly unbothered by your huffing and puffing.

Families with older children will manage this easily enough, though toddlers might struggle with the uneven ground. Expect to spend an hour or so getting up and back down, longer if you fancy a proper picnic at the top.

For those staying at nearby spots like Ocknell Campsite or Longbeech Campsite, Fox Hill makes a cracking morning walk before the day gets too warm. The summit offers a good excuse to catch your breath and appreciate just how vast the New Forest really is. It's free to climb, naturally, and accessible year-round though autumn brings the added bonus of proper New Forest colours painting the landscape below.