Kingston Beacon

The walk up Kingston Beacon rewards you with one of those views that makes you understand why people bothered building a beacon here in the first place. It's a proper Somerset vantage point - the Quantock Hills rise and roll around you, and on a clear day you can pick out the Bristol Channel glinting in the distance. The summit isn't dramatically high, but it feels it when you're up there, exposed to whatever weather's coming off the water.

This is walker territory, pure and simple. You're looking at a decent hike to reach the top rather than a stroll, so it suits anyone with reasonable fitness and a decent pair of boots. Families with young children might find it more effort than reward, unless they're the type who actually enjoy climbing. History buffs will get a kick out of the beacon's origins - these hilltops were communication points, and standing there you can almost picture the signal fires.

Getting here from Bridgwater takes about twenty minutes, which makes it an easy morning or afternoon addition to a park stay. If you're based at Secret Valley or Cornish Farm Touring Park, you're well-positioned to give this a go without eating up half your day driving. The walk takes between one and two hours depending on your pace and which route you take. There's no cafe at the top, so bring water and something to eat if you want to sit and linger. Worth the effort on a decent weather day - on a murky one, you might be better off elsewhere.