The Cliffe

The Cliffe rises sharply above Oswestry, a proper dramatic escarpment that you can see commanding the landscape from miles around. It's essentially a steep hillside with significant historical weight - there's an Iron Age fort up there, which is why locals have always made a fuss of the place. The walk up is no gentle amble; it's a proper climb with some sharp gradients that'll have your calves working, but the views from the top across Shropshire and into Wales are genuinely worth the effort.

Histor types will get the most out of it, particularly those interested in Iron Age settlements and ancient fortifications. The earthworks are still visible if you know what you're looking at, though there's no visitor centre or interpretation panels, so you'll need to do your homework beforehand or bring an archaeology guide. If you're based at one of the nearby caravan parks - Cranberry Moss is closest at just over a mile away - it makes for an excellent morning expedition before breakfast gets cold.

Allow a solid hour for the ascent and descent, longer if you're taking photos or dawdling at the summit. The site is free to access and open year-round, though winter mud can be treacherous underfoot. Families with young kids might find the steep sections frustrating rather than fun, but teenagers and proper walkers will rate it. On clear days you'll spot the Long Mynd to the south, which gives you a sense of how The Cliffe fits into the broader Shropshire landscape. It's not flashy or particularly well-signposted, but that's rather the point.