Several Down

The walk up Several Down rewards you with proper views across the Oxfordshire countryside - the sort of vista that makes you understand why people spend good money on walking holidays. It's not a dramatic summit by any stretch, but on a clear day you can pick out distant ridgelines and the patchwork of fields rolling away beneath you.

Several Down works best for walkers with at least a couple of hours to spare. The ascent is steady rather than brutal, though your legs will know you've climbed by the time you're at the top. Families with older kids who don't need hand-holding will do fine here; younger ones might find the walk a bit long for the payoff.

Thatcham, the nearest town, sits about 10 miles south and gives you somewhere to grab a coffee before or after. If you're based at Rolling Fields Glamping - a five-mile drive away - this makes an excellent morning excursion. The glamping site itself is well-reviewed, so you could pair a day here with proper accommodation that doesn't feel like roughing it.

Go early if you can. The footfall is lighter, the light is better for photographs, and you'll have the top largely to yourself. Midweek beats weekends by miles. Allow two to three hours depending on your pace and how long you linger at the top - which you will, given the views. Trainers are fine if the ground's dry; proper walking boots matter more after rain.