Haresfield Beacon

Clambering up from the Cotswold Way, the views suddenly open out like a theatrical curtain drop - and what a show awaits. This National Trust hill fort sits 700 feet above the Severn Vale, delivering knockout panoramas across to the Forest of Dean and Wales beyond. On clear days, you can spot the Brecon Beacons some 40 miles distant.

Walkers will absolutely love this place. The climb from Gloucester (about 6 miles north) gets the heart pumping, but families with older children can drive most of the way up and tackle just the final stretch. The ancient earthworks here date back 2,500 years - Iron Age folk clearly knew a good defensive position when they saw one.

Expect to spend a good hour soaking up the views and exploring the ramparts, longer if you're doing the full Cotswold Way section. Spring and autumn offer the clearest visibility, though summer brings wildflowers and butterflies galore. The wind can be properly fierce up here, so pack layers even on warm days.

From nearby holiday parks like Gables Farm Campsite or Painswick Glamping, it makes a cracking half-day expedition. The steep approach road isn't for the faint-hearted in a caravan, mind you. But reach the top and you'll understand why this spot has been drawing people for millennia.