Keycol Hill

The walk up Keycol Hill from Maidstone isn't a gruelling slog - it's a proper little climb that takes about twenty minutes if you're not dawdling. What you get at the top is a decent vantage point across the Weald, nothing earth-shattering, but on a clear day the views stretch far enough to make the effort worthwhile. The summit itself is fairly modest - no trig point or dramatic rocky outcrop, just a high spot where the landscape opens up around you.

This is walkers' territory, really. Families with young kids will get bored after an hour, but it's perfect for a morning outing if you're staying at Oak View Holiday Park just down the road - you can knock it off before lunch without fussing about. On weekends it does get a bit busy with locals taking the same idea, so arriving early helps you avoid the crowds.

The approach paths are straightforward enough, though they're muddy after rain - nothing technical, just steady gradient. Bring decent boots rather than trainers. The hill sits within easy reach of Maidstone town centre, so you could combine it with a look around the High Street or the waterfront if you wanted a longer day out. It's the sort of walk that's become routine for the locals but won't blow your mind if you've hillwalked anywhere more ambitious. Still, it's a useful addition to a park-based holiday when the weather's decent and you fancy a bit of leg-stretching.