Little Hill

Little Hill sits just outside Shaftesbury, offering one of those proper vantage points that makes you wonder why it isn't better known. The walk up takes maybe twenty minutes depending on your pace, and the reward is a straightforward view across the Dorset countryside - rolling fields, distant ridgelines, the kind of thing that justifies a morning outing if you're staying in the area.

It's accessible enough for most walkers without being a proper trudge. Families with younger kids might find it a bit of a slog, but teenagers upwards will get there without complaint. The path is reasonably marked, though it's the sort of spot where you need basic map sense rather than following crowds.

Worth doing if you're basing yourself at Gold Hill Glamping or staying around Shaftesbury for a day or two, especially if you're mixing it with walks elsewhere in north Dorset. Don't expect a summit building or facilities - this is just a hillside with a view. Go in good weather and you'll get something genuinely pleasant. Fog rolls in and you might feel you've wasted the effort, but that's the risk with British upland walks.

The bonus is it's quiet. You won't be battling crowds or dodging selfie sticks. Just actual countryside and clear air. Allow a couple of hours if you're not rushing, including time to sit about and actually look at the view rather than just ticking it off.