Ten Minute Arete

The walk up to Ten Minute Arete takes roughly, you've guessed it, ten minutes from the nearby village of Mells. It's a steep pull through woodland, but nothing that'll leave you gasping - more of a proper huff and puff situation. Once you crest the ridge, the Somerset landscape opens out completely. Rolling fields stretch away in all directions, and on a clear day you can see for miles across the Mendips. The viewpoint itself is unprepossessing - just a spot where the trees thin out and the ground flattens slightly - but that's rather the appeal. No railings, no interpretation boards, just you and the view.

This works best for walkers with some fitness. Families with younger kids might find the steep climb tiresome for what amounts to 15 minutes at the top, but teenagers onwards will manage fine. The real joy is how accessible it feels - no admission fee, no faffing about, just turn up and climb. Allow an hour for the whole outing if you're not rushing.

If you're staying at Glamping on the Hill just down the road, this makes a brilliant morning walk before breakfast. Combine it with exploring Mells village itself, which has a proper stone-built charm and good pubs. It's the sort of spot locals know and tourists often miss, which is exactly why it's worth the detour.