Mount Joy

Standing at just 126 metres above sea level, Mount Joy won't test your mountaineering skills, but it delivers proper views across the Isle of Wight's central countryside. The walk to the summit from the nearest parking spot takes about 20 minutes through mixed woodland and open grassland - straightforward enough for most families with reasonably mobile children.

From the top, you get sweeping vistas towards Newport and across to the mainland on clear days. It's not the island's highest point - that honour goes to St Boniface Down - but Mount Joy feels more accessible and less crowded than some of the more famous viewpoints. The summit itself is marked by a small trig point and offers enough space for a picnic if you've brought supplies.

Walkers will appreciate this as part of a longer ramble through the island's interior, while families might find it makes a decent half-day outing combined with exploring nearby Newport. Allow an hour return from the car, longer if you're stopping for photos or a rest at the top. Best visited on clear days when the views actually materialise - there's not much point slogging up in thick mist.

For those staying at nearby parks like Parkdean Resorts Thorness Bay or Springfield Oaks Camping, it's an easy drive across the island for a morning's exercise before heading back to base.