Shoulder Of Mutton Hill

The walk up Shoulder of Mutton Hill rewards you with one of those rare Hampshire views that actually justifies the effort. It's not particularly high - you're looking at around 270 metres - but the climb from Petersfield is steep enough that you'll feel it in your legs, and the exposed position means the wind can be proper vicious on a blustery day.

What you get at the top is genuine 360-degree countryside. On a clear day you can see across the South Downs, and there's something quite satisfying about standing on what amounts to a proper little peak in what most people assume is dead flat. The summit itself is fairly modest - no trig point or cairn to make a fuss of - but that's rather the point. This is a walkers' hill, the kind of place that appeals to people who prefer substance over Instagram moments.

Allow an hour and a half for the round trip from Petersfield town centre if you're doing it at a decent pace. It's absolutely free, obviously. Bring water and wind-proof layers - the exposed ridgeline means weather changes quickly. The best time is late afternoon when the light softens and crowds thin out.

If you're based at one of the nearby yurts at Adhurst or Cedar Valley, this works perfectly as a morning or afternoon excursion. Feather Down Manor Farm is a bit further out but equally good for a walking-focused holiday. Do it when there's been a couple of dry days - muddy clay paths get slippery fast.