Waite Hill

The walk up Waite Hill takes about twenty minutes from the nearest car parking, and it's steep enough to earn a decent view without being backbreaking. The summit sits at 313 metres, which doesn't sound impressive until you're standing on it looking across the Wiltshire countryside - then it feels rather grand.

This is proper chalk downland terrain. You get grassland, occasional scrub, and on a clear day the vista spreads across the Cotswolds to the north and towards Chippenham way to the south. It's the kind of walk that rewards you for minimal effort, which makes it popular with families who don't fancy anything too demanding, though older kids will need decent shoes.

Go early morning or late afternoon if you want any peace. Midday at weekends can get busy with locals who know it's a cracking spot without being touristy. The walk itself is free - there's no visitor centre or facilities up top, so bring water.

If you're based at one of the nearby campsites - Park Farm or Roe Deer Fields are closest - this works as a morning outing before heading into Chippenham. The hill doesn't demand much more than an hour of your time, but the views make it feel worth the drive. Weather matters here; fog rolls in fast and kills the vista entirely, so check conditions before you go. On a proper day, though, it's genuinely lovely.