Knowl Hill

The walk up Knowl Hill from Swanage rewards you with proper views across Swanage Bay and out towards the Purbeck Hills. It's not a dramatic peak - more a steady climb through local paths that feel genuinely walked rather than manicured. The summit itself gives you that moment where you suddenly see the whole arc of the coastline, which is worth the leg work.

You'll pass through scrubland and patches of grassland, and the whole thing takes about an hour from town, give or take. It's free, obviously - it's a hill. Families with younger kids might find it a bit of a slog if they're not used to walking, but teenagers and proper walkers will crack on without complaint. The path is well enough established that you won't get lost, though waterproofs aren't a bad shout after rain.

The real advantage is that you're staying nearby at Ulwell Holiday Park or Burnbake Forest Lodges - both are barely over the hill from here - so it makes sense as a morning excursion before the day gets hot. Swanage itself is the jumping-off point, and the town's worth a poke around afterwards. If the weather's decent, go for it. If it's drizzle and low cloud, you'll be walking for views that aren't there.