Hart Hill

Hart Hill rises up from the Hampshire-Dorset border with a quiet insistence that catches you by surprise. It's not a dramatic peak - nothing like the scrambles you'd find further west - but the walk rewards you with proper views across the New Forest and down towards Ringwood.

The climb itself is straightforward, taking maybe twenty minutes from the car park depending on your pace and how much you stop to catch your breath. The path is well-trodden and the gradient steady rather than brutal. Once you're up there, the reward is a genuine sense of elevation and space. On a clear day you can see for miles. It's the sort of spot that makes you understand why people get drawn to high ground, even when the height isn't technically impressive.

Families with older kids will manage it fine - it's short enough to hold concentration but rewarding enough to feel like an actual achievement. Younger children might find it a bit dull unless they're keen walkers already. The real appeal is for anyone doing a longer Dorset walking break who wants to tick off a peak without committing half their day to it.

If you're staying at Hill Cottage Farm near Fordingbridge - just a few miles away - Hart Hill makes a decent morning out before exploring the wider New Forest area. It's free to access and works well as part of a broader rambling day rather than a destination in itself. Go early to avoid whatever crowds do turn up, and bring a map because signposting can be patchy.