Smith's Hill

Smith's Hill rises abruptly from the Berkshire countryside near Hungerford, offering one of those proper views that makes the short walk worthwhile. It's not a mountaineering expedition - more a brisk stroll that rewards you with sight lines across the Thames Valley that stretch for miles on a clear day.

The summit itself is modest in height but generous in perspective. You get the sense of actually being somewhere, rather than just walking through a field. On good weather days, families with school-age children will manage it easily enough, though don't expect dramatic drama - it's the kind of walk where the climb is the point, not the destination.

There's no visitor infrastructure to speak of, which is refreshing. No cafe, no gift shop, no crowd management. Just you, the hilltop, and whatever the weather throws at you. Allow an hour return from the base, less if you're quick.

If you're based at one of the nearby glamping spots - Evelyns Garden or Lorne Hill Farm are both excellent - Smith's Hill slots nicely into a morning before heading into Hungerford for lunch. It's the sort of local walk that makes a holiday feel less like tourism and more like living somewhere for a bit. Worth the detour if you're already in the area, but don't drive specifically for it.