Monks Hill

Standing at just 170 metres, this gentle hill near Longney won't challenge serious fell walkers, but it delivers surprisingly good views across the Severn Vale for such a modest effort. The climb from the village takes about twenty minutes through farmland and patches of woodland, with footpaths that can get muddy after rain.

Families with older children will find it manageable, though the terrain isn't suitable for pushchairs. The reward at the top is a proper panorama taking in the Severn Estuary and, on clear days, the Welsh hills beyond. It's free to walk, naturally, and there's no visitor centre or facilities - just countryside and views.

History buffs might appreciate that this was once the site of a medieval hermitage, though precious little remains visible today. The walk itself is pleasant rather than spectacular, following well-marked public footpaths through typical Gloucestershire farming country.

Best tackled in dry weather when the paths are firmer underfoot. Allow an hour round trip if you're taking it steady. The nearby holiday parks like The Glamping Orchard and Baldwin's Brook Glamping make decent bases for exploring this quieter corner of the Cotswolds fringe, though don't expect dramatic mountain scenery. It's a nice leg-stretcher rather than a destination in itself.