Stubb's Hill

The walk up Stubb's Hill is brief but surprisingly satisfying - twenty minutes or so from the nearest road gets you to roughly 300 metres of elevation and proper panoramic views across the Cotswolds. On a clear day you're looking out towards the Welsh border, which is genuinely impressive from ground level this far south. The summit itself is unremarkable - just grassland and a few sheep - but that's rather the point. No café, no visitor centre, no faffing about.

It's the sort of climb that rewards walkers more than it challenges them. Families with primary-school-age kids will manage it without complaint, though the descent can be steep enough that little ones might need a hand. History enthusiasts get less from this one than they would elsewhere in Gloucestershire - there's no Iron Age fort or ancient monument to discover, just the land itself.

Come here when you want fresh air and a decent view without committing to a full day on the hills. An hour and a half returns you to the car park with time for a pub lunch in Swindon. If you're staying at Great Farm or Second Chance Touring Park nearby, it's an easy morning outing before heading to bigger attractions elsewhere in the region. The Cotswolds are absolutely scattered with better-known peaks, but Stubb's Hill works if you're in the area and fancy a quick leg-stretch with a reward at the top.