Ranks Hill

The walk up Ranks Hill rewards you with one of Hampshire's broadest views - nothing fancy, but genuine. On a clear day from the 294-metre summit near Alton, you can sweep your eyes across the Weald and pick out ridge after ridge folding into the distance. It's the sort of vantage point that makes you understand why the land rises and falls the way it does.

The climb itself is straightforward, more ramble than scramble. Walkers of all levels manage it without fuss, though it's not a casual stroll - you'll feel your legs working. The landscape up there is proper Hampshire: open grassland, the occasional stand of beech trees, and enough space to breathe. On weekends it gets busy with locals, but it never feels rammed.

Give yourself an hour for the walk and another 30 minutes to actually stand about and take in where you are. Bring a packed lunch if you fancy - there's nowhere to buy food at the top, but plenty of flat spots to sit. Spring and autumn are best: the weather's more reliable than summer, and you won't be boiling in layers.

If you're based at Feather Down Manor Farm, just 4.5 miles away, Ranks Hill makes an excellent morning outing before heading to one of the park's activities. It's the kind of hill that doesn't announce itself - no grand drama - but it's exactly what you want from a Hampshire walk. Worth the detour if you're in Alton, absolutely.