Shipley Hill

The climb up Shipley Hill catches most people by surprise. What looks like a gentle stroll from Alfreton turns into proper legwork once you're committed to the slope, but the garden at the top makes the effort worthwhile. It's not your Chelsea Flower Show affair - think more naturalistic, with woodland paths threading through established plantings that have had decades to settle in properly.

The views across Derbyshire unfold as you climb, and there's something satisfying about earning them. On a clear day you can see a fair distance, which makes it a decent spot if you're after that hilltop-walk payoff without needing a full day's expedition. The garden itself rewards a proper wander rather than a quick loop - take thirty to forty-five minutes if you want to actually see what's planted here and not just tick it off.

Families with younger kids might find the uphill slog a bit much, though teenagers who actually walk will get it. If you're staying at Golden Valley Caravan Park or Riddings Wood, both within five miles, this makes a solid morning or late afternoon outing. The surrounding countryside is proper walking territory too, so you can easily extend the trip.

Best visited on a dry day - the paths get slippery, and that's when the hill feels steeper than it actually is. Go early if you want it to yourself. It's free to access and there's no rigid timings to worry about, which is refreshing.