Thruxton Hill

The walk up Thruxton Hill rewards you with views across the Wiltshire chalklands that stretch for miles. It's not a dramatic peak - more a steady climb through open downland - but the vantage point over Salisbury and beyond makes the effort worthwhile.

You get proper 360-degree visibility from the top. On a clear day you can pick out the spire of Salisbury Cathedral to the south, and the rolling contours of the Chalke Valley unfold to the west. The terrain is mostly grassland, so it's an easy walk for families with decent mobility. Children under six might struggle with the sustained climb, but primary-school-age kids will manage it fine if you pace it steady.

Allow about 90 minutes return, depending on fitness. There's no café at the summit or facilities at the base, so pack water and a snack. Early morning visits are brilliant - fewer people and the light across the valleys is gorgeous.

If you're camped at Salisbury Hillside just down the road, this works as a cracking half-day excursion. The site sits only 4.8 miles away, making it ideal for walkers wanting to base themselves somewhere and do day trips rather than tick off attractions. The hill itself is free and you can access it year-round, though it's genuinely best visited between May and September when the grass is dry underfoot and visibility is highest.

It's not a destination in itself, but it absolutely earns its place in a walking holiday across the chalk downs.