Strawberry Hill

The walk up Strawberry Hill rewards you with one of the best views across the Lee Valley. It's not a mountain - nowhere near - but at 134 metres, it's the highest point in Hertfordshire, and that matters when you're standing on top of it looking across the valley towards London.

The route is straightforward enough. From Chingford, you head out across Lee Valley Park itself, following paths that wind through the valley floor before climbing up to the summit. The hill itself is wooded, so don't expect dramatic vistas until you reach the top. Once there, though, you get proper panoramic views across the water, the wetlands, and the patchwork of the valley. On a clear day you can see right across London.

It's ideal for walkers wanting something with real purpose - not a slog, but not a flat stroll either. Families with kids who've got decent legs will manage it fine. The walk takes about two hours return from the valley floor, depending on your pace and how long you linger at the summit.

If you're camped at Lee Valley Campsite in Sewardstone, just 2.3 miles away, this is a natural half-day excursion. Fowley Mead is slightly further but still very accessible. Even Theobalds Park at five miles makes for a good reason to explore this corner of Hertfordshire properly. Free to visit, naturally - just turn up and walk. Spring and autumn are best, when the light's good and the valley isn't too muggy.