Stone Hill

The walk up Stone Hill rewards you with genuine Somerset views - nothing flashy, just proper countryside rolling away in all directions. It's not a dramatic peak by any means, more a confident bump in the landscape just outside Bath, but the climb itself is straightforward enough that you won't regret the effort.

On a clear day you can pick out the Cotswolds rising up to the north, and on the way up you'll pass through mixed woodland where bluebells do their thing in spring. The summit itself is bare enough to give you real sight lines - no trees blocking the view, which is exactly what you want.

This works best for walkers rather than casual strollers. You're looking at a couple of hours round trip depending on your pace and where you start from. Families with primary-school kids will manage fine; smaller ones might find it a bit much depending on their walking legs. The paths can get boggy after rain, so decent boots matter.

It's the kind of walk that fits perfectly into a longer day if you're based at Bath Mill Lodge Retreat up the road - do this, grab lunch in Bath town centre, maybe potter around the Georgian architecture. Stone Hill doesn't demand a whole afternoon on its own, but combined with other local walks it fills a morning nicely. Free, no faffing about with opening times or tickets. Just turn up and climb.