Otterbourne Hill

The walk up Otterbourne Hill is brief but steep, and frankly, that's rather the point. You're not here for a dawn-to-dusk expedition - you're here for the views across Hampshire and the fact you can knock it off in under an hour from Southampton.

It's a proper hilltop walk, the kind where your calves remind you of it for a day or two afterwards. The summit itself sits around 400 feet, which doesn't sound much until you're climbing it. Local walkers tackle it regularly, and families with older children find it manageable if they don't mind a bit of huffing and puffing. The paths are well-trodden rather than technical, so you won't need special gear.

What makes it worthwhile is the panorama once you're up there. On a clear day, you get genuine views across the Hampshire countryside - the sort of thing that makes you understand why people bother with hills at all. It's particularly good in late afternoon light when the landscape takes on proper depth.

If you're based at Winchester Morn Hill Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite, it's only six miles away, making it an excellent afternoon jaunt when you can't face a full day out. The walk doesn't require advance booking or payment - you simply turn up and get on with it. Allow 90 minutes to two hours if you're taking your time and actually stopping to take in the view rather than racing to the top. Winter can turn it muddy, so decent boots are worth the bother.