Knights Hill

The walk up Knights Hill takes about twenty minutes from Stevenage if you know where you're going, and the views across Hertfordshire from the top are genuinely worth the leg work. It's not dramatic - we're talking rolling farmland and the odd church spire in the distance, not Alpine panoramas - but on a clear day you can pick out landmarks for miles. The hill itself is more of a proper walk than a casual stroll; the gradient builds steadily and it gets a bit muddy underfoot if there's been rain. Bring decent boots.

This is the kind of place that appeals to walkers and local history types rather than day-trippers after a quick thrill. Kids will manage it fine, though younger ones might flag on the way up - have a snack ready. The actual summit is modest, no tower or memorial, just fields and sky. That's rather the point. The surrounding area has good walking routes if you want to make an afternoon of it, and Church Farm Ardeley is only a few miles away, making it straightforward to combine with a park holiday.

There's nothing to pay and no opening hours to worry about - it's free, accessible any time. Weekday mornings tend to be quieter than weekends. If you're staying in Stevenage for any length of time and fancy getting out of the town proper, it's worth the trip. Don't expect facilities at the top. Do expect a decent sense of perspective and a proper Hertfordshire landscape.