Runnings Park

The Malvern Hills rise up so suddenly from the plain that you'd swear someone dropped them there by accident. Runnings Park sits right in the thick of it - a proper nature reserve where the walking is straightforward and the views across Herefordshire stretch for miles on a clear day. What you're actually doing here is picking your way through woodland and open grassland, spotting whatever birds and butterflies happen to be about. It's not dramatic or showy. Just honest green space with decent footpaths.

Walkers will find their time well spent, though it's the sort of place that rewards a couple of hours rather than a full day out. Families with younger kids might get a bit restless if you're not the type to stop every five minutes looking at moss, but older children who can manage uneven ground will enjoy it. The proximity to Malvern means you could easily combine this with a proper hike up the ridge itself, which is only a short drive away.

If you're based at Out To Grass or Mike's Meadow - both excellent camping spots - Runnings Park makes for a low-key morning before heading into Malvern town proper for lunch. Don't expect facilities or a visitor centre; this is the real thing. Admission details are thin on the ground, so ring ahead or check locally in Malvern. Go on a weekday morning if you want any peace at all.