Hart Hill

Hart Hill sits just outside Lydney, a modest rise in the Forest of Dean that rewards the short walk with proper views across the Severn estuary and into Wales. It's not a dramatic summit - you won't be gasping for breath - but it's exactly the sort of hill that works brilliantly for a family afternoon or a gentle stretch of the legs between campsites.

The walk itself takes no more than 20 minutes from the base, making it ideal if you've got restless kids or limited time. The path is well-trodden and straightforward, though it can get muddy after rain. Once you're up there, the panorama justifies the effort: clear days reward you with views that reach across to the Welsh hills, and the light changes throughout the day in ways that make you want to linger.

Historians might not find much here - there's no significant ruin or monument - but walkers absolutely will. It's the sort of walk you don't need to plan extensively for, yet it gives you that satisfying sense of having properly explored somewhere. If you're staying at Forest and Wye Valley Caravan and Camping Site, barely two miles away, Hart Hill is exactly the kind of local ramble that makes a camping holiday feel less like sitting still and more like actually getting out into the landscape.

Go early morning or late afternoon for the best light. Bring a decent wind-cheater - the elevation catches a breeze that can surprise you on a supposedly calm day.