Rough Hill

The walk up Rough Hill from Marlborough takes about forty minutes, and you'll know why it's called that the moment your boots hit the chalk path. It's steep, loose underfoot, and genuinely knackering if you're not prepared - but the payoff is a proper 360-degree view across the Wiltshire downs that makes every grumbling step worthwhile.

This isn't some manicured viewpoint with a café and gift shop. Rough Hill is the real thing: a bare summit with wind that'll knock you sideways on a breezy day and views that stretch for miles. On a clear morning you can pick out the Marlborough College estate below and the rippling downland rolling away in every direction. It's the sort of spot that reminds you why the Ridgeway became a trade route centuries ago - you genuinely can see everything coming from miles away.

Walkers will get the most from this one. It's part of a proper network if you're tackling the longer Ridgeway sections, or it works as a standalone morning outing from Ridgeway Campsite just down the road. Give yourself two hours if you're not a regular hill-tramper, and avoid it after heavy rain when the chalk turns into a mudslide. There's no admission charge - it's just a public footpath - and no facilities at the top, so bring water.

Kids might find the walk tedious rather than fun, unless they're already keen on climbing. But if you're staying at Ridgeway Campsite and want a genuine view without the crowds, this delivers.