Goose Hill

Goose Hill isn't dramatic in the way the Lake District peaks are, but that's rather the point. This modest summit near Weymouth offers something more honest - a proper walk with decent views across Dorset without needing proper mountaineering kit.

The climb itself takes twenty minutes or so from the car park, and it's a genuine little huff. The path is well-trodden and muddy in patches, but nothing technical. What you get at the top is worth the effort: on a clear day you're looking out across Weymouth Bay and towards Portland, and you can trace the Dorset coastline stretching west. It's the sort of view that makes you realise how the landscape actually fits together.

This works brilliantly for walkers wanting something more than a flat coastal trail but less committing than a full day's expedition. Families with kids aged seven or eight upwards will manage it fine. Bring proper shoes though - trainers won't cut it after rain.

The beauty of Goose Hill is it's free and accessible any time. Factor in forty minutes for the walk and time to sit about at the top. If you're based at one of the nearby parks - Chesil Beach Lodge is the closest decent option at 5.4 miles, with solid reviews - it's a perfect morning or late afternoon outing. Combine it with a wander round Weymouth itself and you've got a proper day sorted. Not essential viewing, but genuinely worth doing if you're in the area.