Park Hill

The walk up Park Hill rewards you with proper views across the Forest of Dean and into Wales beyond. It's not a dramatic peak - nothing like the Brecon Beacons - but on a clear day you can see for miles, which is exactly what you want from a Gloucestershire vantage point.

The climb itself takes about twenty minutes from the car park, following worn woodland paths through decent forest. Kids will manage it without complaint. The summit area is open enough that you can actually stand somewhere and take in the landscape rather than peering through trees, which counts for a lot. On misty days it's rather pointless, so pick your weather.

Walkers doing longer circuits through the Forest will find Park Hill a logical waypoint. It breaks up the woodland trudging nicely. History types won't find much here - just trees and views - so this one's really for the leg-stretching brigade rather than the heritage crowd.

Stay at Whitemead Forest Park nearby and you're ideally placed to explore the wider area without much driving. Lydney itself is only a few miles down the road if you need shops or a decent pub after. Allow an hour including the walk and some sitting-about time on top. The nearby caravan sites at Hawthorne Cottage and Deanwood Holiday Cottages are also within easy reach if you're basing yourself in the area. It's worth the detour if you're already in the Forest; less so if you're making a special trip.