Lamyatt Beacon

The walk up Lamyatt Beacon rewards you with views across Somerset that stretch for miles on a clear day. It's a proper summit for the region - not exactly Alpine, but satisfying enough when you're standing at the top looking out over the patchwork fields towards Castle Cary and beyond.

The beacon itself is modest: a trig point marking the high ground, with the sort of 360-degree perspective that makes the climb worthwhile. You'll see why people bothered walking up here for centuries. The approach is straightforward enough for most fitness levels, though it can be muddy after rain and the final push gets a bit steep.

This is genuinely good territory for walkers. Families with older kids will manage it fine, though younger ones might find the exposed top a bit exposed in windy weather. History enthusiasts will appreciate the beacon's role as a navigation point and signal station - practical stuff rather than dramatic heritage, but that's rather the point with Somerset hillforts.

Allow 90 minutes to two hours for the round trip including time to stand about and get your breath back. There's no admission fee and no facilities at the top, so pack water and something to eat.

If you're camping nearby - Hadspen Glamping sits just three miles away - this makes for a cracking morning or late afternoon outing. Sunnyhill Campsite at five and a half miles is equally close. Both give you a proper base for exploring the higher ground around here without needing the car every time.