Moorcourt Hill

The walk up Moorcourt Hill rewards you with views across Winchester and the Itchen Valley that make the huffing and puffing worthwhile. It's not a dramatic peak - Hampshire doesn't do dramatic - but on a clear day you can see for miles, and that's genuinely satisfying after climbing through the beech woods.

The summit itself is modest, with no dramatic views platform or cafe, just open downland where you can catch your breath and actually see where you've come from. The ascent takes about 45 minutes from the car park depending on your pace and how many times you stop to admire the woodland. Walkers get the most from this one - it's a proper leg-stretcher rather than a casual stroll, and families with younger kids might find it a bit of a slog on a hot day. History buffs will appreciate the Bronze Age tumuli scattered about, though they're easy to miss if you're not paying attention.

It's free to visit and works brilliantly as part of a longer walking day around Winchester. If you're based at Hookpit Farm or Stockbridge View - both cracking caravan sites - you can easily combine this with walks down to the River Itchen or explore the cathedral city itself. Go early if you want to avoid crowds, and bring proper footwear; it gets muddy after rain and the slopes are deceptively steep in places. Worth the detour if you like earning your views.