Surrey Hill

The walk up Surrey Hill takes about twenty minutes from Bracknell town centre, which means you can squeeze it in between breakfast and lunch without faffing about with transport. Once you're at the top, it's genuinely one of the better views across the Thames Valley - the sort of spot where you actually understand why someone bothered to build a town down there. The peak itself isn't dramatic. There's no summit cairn or dramatic rock face, just open ground with sight lines that stretch properly far on a clear day.

Historyheads will appreciate that this is decent old walking country - the area's been used for centuries, and you can feel it. Families with younger kids should know it's manageable but not a pushover, especially if the ground's wet. Most people allow an hour return from the car park, though you could loiter longer if the views grip you.

What makes it work well as part of a Bracknell Forest holiday is its proximity to the campsite options nearby. Warfield Park sits just 3.7 miles away and rates solidly at 4.2 out of 5 - proper base for exploring this stretch of countryside. Scotlands House Campsite is even closer in terms of quality (4.8 rating) if you're willing to go 4.8 miles out. The hill works as a morning leg-stretch before or after a few nights under canvas.

No facilities at the summit itself, so bring water. Free to visit, as these things should be.