Pool Hill

Pool Hill rises 1,503 feet above the Shropshire borderlands, and the walk up takes about forty minutes from the car park near Knighton. It's not a brutal slog - the path winds through proper hill country with views opening up as you gain height. Once you're up there, you get sight lines across to Wales on a clear day, and the surrounding moorland rolls away in all directions like someone's thrown a green blanket over the hills.

This is walkers' territory, pure and simple. Families with young kids might find the steady climb a bit much, though teenagers who don't complain about everything will probably enjoy it. The views are the whole point - there's no visitor centre, no shop, just you and the landscape. Allow a couple of hours for the round trip if you're not rushing.

What makes Pool Hill worth the effort is how it sits within easy reach of some serious walking country. Black Hall Lodges is only 4.5 miles away, making it a logical base for a few days exploring the borderlands. The lodge accommodation is solid (5-star rating), and from there you could tackle Pool Hill as a morning walk before heading out to other peaks in the area.

Go when the light's decent - early morning or late afternoon. The exposed moorland can be bleak in heavy rain, and you'll want to see those Welsh views to make the climb feel worthwhile. Bring proper boots; it gets boggy in places.