High Chaldon

Standing at 204 metres above sea level, this windswept chalk down delivers views that stretch from the Purbeck Hills to the English Channel on a clear day. The climb up from the nearest car park isn't particularly taxing - a steady 20-minute walk across grassy downland that gets your heart pumping just enough to earn the panorama at the top.

Walkers and landscape photographers will get the most from High Chaldon, particularly those who appreciate the rolling chalk country that defines this corner of Dorset. Families with older children who don't mind a proper walk will find it rewarding, though toddlers might struggle with the terrain and distance.

Being open countryside, there's no admission fee and you can visit any time of day. Early morning or late afternoon light shows off the downs at their best, and you'll often have the summit largely to yourself outside summer weekends. The exposed position means it can be properly blustery even when it's calm down in Dorchester, so pack layers.

From holiday parks like Warmwell or Seaview near Weymouth, High Chaldon makes a decent half-day expedition. Combine it with a visit to nearby Maiden Castle or the coast at Ringstead Bay for a full day exploring this less-trampled part of the Dorset countryside.