Lampern Hill

Lampern Hill sits just outside Gloucester and gives you proper views across the Severn Valley if you're willing to put in a bit of legwork. It's not a massive summit - the walk up takes maybe twenty minutes from the car park - but on a clear day you can see for miles. The surrounding countryside rolls away nicely, and on weekends you'll spot families making the gentle climb with young kids in tow.

This is walkers' territory rather than a destination in itself. You come for the view and the walk, not for facilities or attractions at the top. There's nothing there but grass and a modest peak, but that's rather the point. It's the sort of place you tick off while exploring the wider Gloucestershire countryside, perhaps between visits to the riverside caravan parks clustered around Gloucester - The Riverside at The George Inn, Pepper Pot, or Tudor Caravan Park are all within easy striking distance.

Best visited on a dry morning when the light's decent. Midweek means fewer people and breathing room at the summit. Bring proper walking boots if the ground's been wet; it gets muddy underfoot. The whole outing, including descent, takes a couple of hours, so it slots nicely into a half-day exploring the area. Worth the detour if you're staying locally and fancy a straightforward walk with a view. Not worth a special trip from far away, but absolutely worth knowing about if you're based at one of the nearby parks.