The Sleight

The Sleight sits just south of Bath, a modest Somerset peak that rewards walkers prepared for a proper climb but won't gobble up your whole afternoon. You're looking at limestone moorland views across the Mendips from the top, clear enough on decent weather days to see across several valleys. The walk up takes about 40 minutes from the nearest parking, climbing through bracken and scrub with Bath visible behind you as you go higher.

It's genuinely worth doing if you're already in the area, especially if you're staying at Bath Mill Lodge Retreat down the road. The summit itself is a bit windswept and moorish rather than dramatic - no sudden drop-offs or spectacular rock formations. Walkers will find it satisfying, families with young children might find the steep bits a nuisance on the way down. History enthusiasts won't find much here, just open moorland and the sense that you've earned the view.

Go on a clear morning, avoid weekends if you hate crowds, and allow two hours return if you're not particularly quick on your feet. It's free, naturally. The walk links well with other Mendip rambles if you're making a day of it - you can string together a longer route without too much bother. Bring proper boots. The ground gets boggy in places, and the descent is steeper than it looks from below.