Pen Hill

The walk up Pen Hill takes you out of Cheltenham proper and into proper Cotswold country - all rolling fields and stone walls that look like they've been there since the Norman conquest. It's not a dramatic peak, nothing like you'd find further west in Wales, but that's rather the point. The summit sits at 961 metres and gives you views across the Severn Vale that stretch on for miles on a clear day.

You're looking at a straightforward walk, maybe an hour or so up from the car park depending on your pace and how often you stop to catch your breath. The path is well-trodden and the gradient is manageable for most fitness levels, though it does get a bit steep towards the top. Families with older kids will be fine here; younger ones might find it a slog.

What makes it work is the simplicity. There's a trig point at the summit, a few benches if you've brought a packed lunch, and genuine quiet. No visitor centre, no gift shop, no crowds. Just you and the view. It's free to visit and open year-round, though winter can get muddy and spring brings the best clear days.

If you're based at one of the glamping sites near Bourton-on-the-Water or staying at the caravan club campsite there, Pen Hill is close enough for a morning outing without eating into proper holiday time. Do it early before the Cheltenham crowds filter out this way.