Olney Beacon

You'll find yourself climbing a steep flight of steps to reach this red-brick tower on the edge of Olney, and honestly, the effort pays off once you're up there. The Beacon itself is modest - a Victorian structure built in 1817 - but the views across the Nene Valley are genuinely worth the climb. On a clear day you can see right across the Buckinghamshire flatlands, which sounds dull until you're actually standing there and realising how much landscape you're taking in.

It's the kind of place that works brilliantly if you're staying at Ekeney House Campsite nearby and fancy a sharp walk after breakfast. Walkers will appreciate the vantage point; it's a proper hill in an otherwise pancake-flat area. History buffs might poke around the tower itself, though there's not loads of interpretation signage. The steps are quite steep and a bit narrow, so it's not ideal for very young children or anyone with mobility issues, but teenagers and fit adults will manage it easily in ten minutes or so.

The town of Olney itself is worth a proper wander - it's got character, decent tea rooms, and that famous pancake race tradition if you time it right. Allow 20 minutes for the Beacon visit and another hour to explore the streets properly. Admission details aren't clear online, so ring ahead before you go. It's free parking on the approach, which is something.