Green Hill

The walk up Green Hill from Leicester takes you through proper woodland and out onto what feels like genuine countryside, despite being just a few miles from the city centre. It's not dramatic - you won't get the kind of fell-top drama you'd find further north - but the views across Leicestershire roll on nicely once you reach the top, and on a clear day you can see further than you'd expect.

Family groups with reasonable fitness will manage it fine. The path is well-trodden but can get muddy after rain, so waterproof boots are a good call. Plan on a couple of hours for the round trip if you're not rushing, and bring a packed lunch - there's nowhere to grab food at the summit, though the views make a decent picnic spot.

Walkers who've come to Leicestershire for the caravan parks nearby - Charnwood Acres is closest at just 3.5 miles away - can pair this with a visit to Bradgate Park or Swithland Reservoir without too much faffing about. It's the sort of outing that fills a decent afternoon without demanding a full day's commitment. Go on a weekday morning if you can and you'll likely have the place more or less to yourself, which is worth something.