Plough Hill

The walk up Plough Hill rewards you with genuine 360-degree views across Wiltshire's chalk downlands - the sort of perspective that makes you understand why people settled this landscape thousands of years ago. It's not a dramatic summit, but that's rather the point. The climb itself takes under an hour from the nearest approach, and you'll likely have the place to yourself on a weekday.

Historically-minded visitors will get the most from this one, as the hill sits within an area thick with ancient earthworks and Bronze Age remains. The slopes themselves roll gentle enough for most walkers, though the final push gets a touch steep if you've picked a muddy day. Children tend to enjoy it more than you'd expect - there's something satisfying about reaching the top of an actual thing, even if it's not dramatic.

Botswicky Copse, the nearest settlement, sits just under four miles away and serves as your jumping-off point. If you're based at Nordic Glamping at Botswicky - an excellent spot with top ratings - you can knock this out as a morning walk before settling in with a fire pit later. The real value is how it slots into a broader Wiltshire exploration: combine it with Salisbury Plain's other elevated points and you've got a solid hillwalking day without leaving the county.

Allow two to three hours door-to-door including the walk itself. Free to visit. Best tackled in dry conditions - the chalk mud on wet days is properly slippery.