Galley and Warden Hills

The chalk grassland here rolls gently uphill, offering proper decent views across Hertfordshire once you've worked up a bit of a sweat. Galley and Warden Hills is a nature reserve that rewards walkers without demanding anything extreme - the paths are well-trodden and easy enough for families with older kids to manage comfortably.

You're essentially walking through flower-rich meadows and scrubland where the chalk soil keeps everything relatively open. In spring and early summer the wildflowers make it worth the trip; orchids appear if you know where to look, and the butterflies are genuinely impressive. The views back towards Dunstable and beyond aren't spectacular enough to write home about, but they're pleasant enough on a clear day.

This works best as a morning or early afternoon walk rather than a destination in itself. Budget 90 minutes to two hours if you're pottering about and actually looking at things. It's the kind of place that pairs brilliantly with a stay at Merlin Farm Camping over near Whipsnade - you could easily combine a morning here with the zoo afterwards, or use it as a warm-up walk before tackling the proper Chiltern walks nearby.

Walkers and nature types will get the most from it. Children under eight might find it a bit samey without the incentive of wildlife spotting, though the climb itself is usually enough to keep them occupied. There's no obvious café or facilities, so bring water and pack something to eat.