Georgia Down

The walk up Georgia Down rewards you with one of those rare views that actually justifies the climb. It's chalk downland proper - rolling, open, and on a clear day you can see for miles across the Hampshire landscape toward Salisbury. The summit itself isn't dramatic, no peak, just the highest point in this corner of the Salisbury Plain area, but that's rather the appeal. You get genuine solitude here, which is increasingly hard to come by.

Walkers will make the most of it. The terrain is straightforward enough - grassy slopes, well-trodden paths, nothing that requires kit or experience - though it's windy up top, so be ready for that. You're looking at a good hour's walk each way depending on your pace and where you start from. Families with older kids would manage fine, though younger ones might find the walk a bit much without the promise of something specific at the end.

It's free, naturally. Bring water and wear proper boots if the ground's wet - chalk downs turn to mud quickly. The best time to visit is probably autumn or early spring when the crowds thin out and the light's less harsh than summer.

If you're based at one of the nearby parks - Salisbury Hillside is the closest at under four miles - Georgia Down makes an excellent morning walk before heading into Salisbury itself for lunch. The other options at Stockbridge View and The Meadow Glamping are only slightly further afield, making this a worthwhile addition to a caravan holiday in the area.