St Catherines Hill

Climbing up from Ventnor, this modest hill rewards the effort with proper sweeping views across the English Channel. The path winds through woodland before opening out to grassy slopes where you can catch your breath and take in the coastline stretching east and west.

Families with older children will manage the ascent fine, though it's a bit much for toddlers in pushchairs. The real appeal here is the walking rather than any specific sight - it's about getting your legs moving and earning those views. Dog walkers love it up here, and you'll often have company from locals getting their daily exercise.

Allow a good hour for the round trip if you're taking it steady, though keen walkers will knock it off in half that time. The hill sits just inland from Ventnor's Victorian seafront, making it a lovely way to stretch your legs after a morning on the beach. Best tackled in clear weather when you can actually see something from the top.

Staying at one of the holiday parks nearby like Appuldurcombe Gardens or Grange Farm Camping gives you easy access for an early morning walk before the day heats up. It's the sort of gentle peak that makes you feel you've achieved something without requiring serious hiking gear.