Hilly Copse

The walk up Hilly Copse from Ashurst is straightforward enough, though calling it a peak feels generous - you're looking at moorland heights rather than mountain drama. Still, there's something satisfying about reaching the top and getting a proper view across the New Forest landscape. The trees thin out as you climb, and you get a sense of the wider terrain that makes the New Forest special: open heath, distant woods, the kind of rollicking countryside that rewards a bit of legwork.

It's ideal for walkers who are already in the area, rather than a destination in itself. You could easily combine it with trails through New Forest National Park, just 4.7 miles away, or base yourself at one of the nearby campsites - Ashurst Campsite is barely two miles down the road if you want to keep things simple. The walk won't take more than an hour or so, depending on pace and how long you linger at the top.

Histor buffs won't find much here - no viewpoint plaques, no interpretive panels. It's just moorland and trees and the quiet satisfaction of having climbed something. Families with young children might find it a bit dull for the effort; it's more appealing if you're into gentle hill walking and don't need a destination with a cafe at the summit. If you're camping nearby and want a morning walk that gets you oriented to the forest and stretches the legs properly, though, Hilly Copse does the job.