Toot Hill

The walk up Toot Hill near Ashurst is a proper leg-stretcher, rewarding you with views across the New Forest that make the climb worthwhile. It's not a mountain by any stretch - barely 300 metres - but the summit feels genuinely isolated when you get there, surrounded by beech and oak woodland that changes character through the seasons.

What you're climbing is essentially a wooded ridge with an open patch at the top. On clear days the vista opens out across the forest canopy, and if you time it right, the golden hour light catches the trees beautifully. The ascent takes twenty minutes if you're moving steadily, longer if you potter and photograph everything.

Families with older kids will manage this fine; younger children might find the steepish sections a bit of a slog. Dog walkers love it. If you're staying at Ashurst Campsite nearby, it's an easy morning or afternoon circuit without needing transport. The woodland paths are well enough marked, though muddy after rain.

Worth doing? Yes, especially if you're already in the forest exploring. Don't expect sweeping vistas or a café at the top - it's quiet, working woodland, and that's exactly why it works. The New Forest has plenty of busier spots; this one lets you escape them. Allow two hours return if you're not rushing.