Herne Hill

The walk up Herne Hill rewards you with views across the Somerset Levels that stretch for miles - on a clear day you can see right across the flat farmland towards the Mendips. It's a proper climb though, steep enough that you'll feel it in your legs by the time you reach the top, but nothing that requires specialist kit.

This one's best suited to walkers and families with older kids who don't mind a bit of exertion. The view itself is the whole point of the visit - there's no visitor centre or facilities up top, just you and the landscape. Allow an hour or so for the walk and time to catch your breath at the summit. Spring and early autumn are ideal, when the weather's more predictable and you're less likely to get socked in by cloud.

From Taunton, it's an easy drive out, and the hill sits handily between several camping options if you're basing yourself in the area. Wytch Wood Camping and Dimpsey Shepherd's Hut Glamping are both close by and well-reviewed, making this a natural add-on to a wider Somerset Levels holiday. You could pair it with 5 acres on the Somerset Levels if you want to stay immersed in the landscape rather than racing back to town.