Horse Hill

The walk up Horse Hill rewards you with proper views across the Chalke Valley - wide, open countryside that spreads out in every direction once you've made the climb. It's not a dramatic peak by any means, but on a clear day you can see why people bother making the effort from Salisbury.

This is honest downland walking, the sort that appeals to people who like their exercise straightforward and their scenery generous. You won't find cafes or facilities at the top, just grass, sky, and the kind of quiet that makes you remember why you left town. Families with confident walkers will find it manageable; younger kids might flag on the way up depending on fitness.

The nearest proper base is Salisbury, though staying at either Chalke Valley Camping or Gold Hill Glamping puts you closer to the action and gives you easier access to explore the surrounding hills. Both are highly rated, and from there you can mix in other walks without spending your whole holiday driving.

Allow an hour for the climb and however long you want to spend at the top taking it in. Go on a weekday morning if possible - weekends bring more people to the area. Free to visit, obviously. It's the sort of walk that sits nicely alongside a longer holiday in the Dorset downlands rather than a destination in itself, but that's exactly what makes it worth fitting in.