Lax Hill

Lax Hill isn't going to take your breath away with altitude - at 384 metres it's more of a gentle rise than a proper fell. But that's rather the point. It's the sort of place where you can amble up in forty minutes from Oakham without needing fell boots or a packed rope, yet still feel like you've actually gone somewhere.

The walk itself is straightforward enough, mostly through farmland with decent views across Rutland once you've summited. On a clear day you can see the countryside rolling away in all directions - nothing dramatic, but genuinely pleasant. It's the kind of panorama that makes you understand why people settled here centuries ago.

This works best for families with younger kids or anyone after a gentle afternoon walk rather than a proper hiking expedition. If you're the sort who measures success in metres gained and photographs of dramatic peaks, you'll find it a bit tame. But if you want to tire out a five-year-old or take your elderly parents somewhere accessible with actual views, it delivers.

If you're based at Greendale Farm Caravan & Camping Park - just six miles away - it's an ideal half-day outing. Combine it with exploring Oakham's market square and the decent high street, and you've got a solid day. Allow two to three hours including the walk and a sit-down at the top with a thermos. Free to visit, obviously - just park sensibly at the base and set off.