Hemner Hill

The walk up Hemner Hill near Petersfield rewards you with proper views across Hampshire's rolling landscape - nothing dramatic, but genuinely lovely on a clear day. It's the sort of peak that makes you feel like you've earned something without actually requiring climbing gear or a GPS unit.

The summit itself is modest in stature but the surrounding terrain keeps things interesting. You get a sense of the South Downs without the crowds you'd find at the more famous spots. The route is straightforward enough for families with reasonably capable kids, though younger ones might find the ascent tedious rather than thrilling. Walkers will appreciate the quietness of it all - you won't be queuing for photos at the top.

Allow a couple of hours for the round trip depending on your pace and how long you linger. There's no visitor centre or facilities up top, so bring water and maybe a sandwich if you want to sit and take in the views properly.

It slots well into a broader South Downs exploration, especially if you're basing yourself at one of the nearby spots. Adhurst Yurts is just over 3 miles away and offers a proper outdoorsy experience - the kind of place where you'd want to add a Hemner Hill walk to your itinerary rather than make it your sole reason for visiting. Bow Hill Farm near Midhurst gives you more conventional caravan site infrastructure if that's your style. Either way, this is a decent half-day outing that won't eat into your holiday but will give you that satisfying feeling of having actually done something.