Saint Catherine's Hill

The walk up Saint Catherine's Hill rewards you with one of Hampshire's best views - Winchester spread out below, the cathedral's spire catching the light, and on clear days the chalk downs rolling into the distance. It's a proper climb though, steep enough that you'll feel it in your legs, but the summit's only about 150 metres up so it won't take long.

Once you're there, the Iron Age fort earthworks become visible - concentric rings of ancient banks that make you realise people have been coming here for the view for thousands of years. There's a small chapel at the top too, St Catherine's itself, which adds another layer to what's already quite a layered spot.

Walkers will get the most from this. Families with young children might find the climb a bit much for what's essentially a twenty-minute walk each way, though determined kids often surprise you. History types will appreciate standing on actual prehistoric ramparts while looking at the city below. It's free, naturally - it's just a hill.

Timing-wise, aim for late afternoon when the light's softer and Winchester doesn't look quite so modern from up here. Early morning works too if you want fewer people around. From the nearby campsite at Holden Farm, you're only a couple of miles away, making it an easy morning or evening outing. Hookpit Farm's another solid option if you're staying a bit further out - both give you quick access to this without needing to battle for parking in Winchester town centre itself.