Hodcott Down

The walk up Hodcott Down rewards you with proper views across the Oxfordshire countryside - the kind of panorama that makes you understand why people choose to live out here. It's not dramatic stuff, nothing like the Lake District, but on a clear day you can see the landscape roll away in waves of green and distant tree lines. The summit itself is bare and exposed, which means there's genuine space to breathe and nowhere to hide from the weather.

This is walker territory, really. The climb takes about half an hour depending on your pace and the ground conditions. It's well-trodden but can get boggy after rain, so proper boots matter. You'll see the occasional family with kids, but younger children might find the wind on top a bit much - it's quite exposed. History enthusiasts won't find anything remarkable up there, though the views give you a sense of how the land has shaped settlement patterns in the area.

Near Thatcham, it's an obvious half-day outing if you're camping or glamping nearby - Rolling Fields is only six miles away and makes a decent base. The walk itself is free, no facilities at the top, so bring water. Late afternoon light is lovely here, and you'll often have the place pretty quiet outside weekends. Allow two hours round trip if you're moving at a reasonable pace and stopping to take in the views. Not essential, but if you're in the area and enjoy straightforward country walks, it does the job.