Gallows Hill

Standing at just 65 metres above sea level, this modest hilltop near Wareham packs more punch than its grim name suggests. The views stretch across Poole Harbour to the Purbeck Hills - proper Dorset countryside that unfolds like a green patchwork quilt below. It's not a mountain by any stretch, but the elevated position gives you a cracking sense of the landscape's sweep.

Walkers will appreciate the gentle climb through heathland, though families with small children might find the terrain a bit rough underfoot in places. The heath can be boggy after rain, so decent boots are wise. Allow an hour for the round trip from the nearest parking, longer if you're dawdling for photos.

Historically, the name tells its own dark tale - this was once an execution site. These days it's altogether more peaceful, with skylarks and the occasional buzzard overhead. The hill works well as part of a longer ramble through the surrounding heathland or as a quick leg-stretch if you're staying at one of the nearby holiday parks like Wareham Forest Tourist Park or Crossways Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite. Not spectacular enough to warrant a special journey, but well worth the walk if you're exploring this corner of Dorset anyway.