Pulpit Hill

The walk up Pulpit Hill rewards you with proper views across the Aylesbury Vale - nothing dramatic, but on a clear day the Chilterns roll away in front of you and it's easy to see why someone picked this spot to preach from centuries ago. The summit itself is modest, barely a hundred metres above the surrounding farmland, yet the climb takes you through decent woodland and opens onto chalk grassland that shifts with the seasons.

It's a straightforward walk, not particularly demanding, which makes it ideal for families with younger legs or anyone after a gentle morning outing rather than a proper hike. The peak is genuinely worth the thirty-minute slog from the nearest car park - the views justify it, and on quieter days you'll have the place largely to yourself. History buffs will appreciate the religious significance without needing a PhD to enjoy the spot.

Allow an hour to ninety minutes for the whole thing, including the walk back. Go in spring or early autumn when the grassland looks its best and you won't be melting in the summer heat. It's free to visit, naturally - just park sensibly and respect the farmland around you.

If you're camping at one of the sites near Aylesbury, Pulpit Hill makes a cracking half-day addition to your itinerary. Orchard View Farm is closest at under three miles, making it dead convenient for an early morning walk before breakfast.