Pan Tod Beacon

The walk up to Pan Tod Beacon rewards you with one of those proper panoramic views across the Forest of Dean that justifies the leg work. This Iron Age hill fort sits at around 300 metres, commanding the landscape between Mitcheldean and the wider Herefordshire borderlands - and on a clear day you can see for miles.

It's not a dramatic standalone peak. What you get is a grassy summit with ancient earthworks that tell the story of Bronze and Iron Age settlement here. The ramparts are subtle enough that you need to know what you're looking at, but that's partly the appeal - this isn't a tourist-battered viewpoint with coach parties and ice cream vans. Walkers get the most from Pan Tod. The route itself is straightforward woodland rambling, taking maybe 45 minutes to an hour from the nearest road access, and the sense of isolation is genuine.

Families with younger kids might find it bit steep for what it is, unless they're used to proper hill walks. Bring a map because signposting is minimal. There's no visitor infrastructure - no cafe, no car park, no facilities - which means you'll need to be self-sufficient.

If you're based at one of the nearby glamping spots like The Roost Retreats or Greenacres, Pan Tod works perfectly as a morning excursion before settling into the wider Forest of Dean network of trails. The view alone is worth the effort, and the quietness is something you won't find at the busier Forest attractions.