West High Down

Standing 241 metres above sea level, this is the Isle of Wight's second-highest point and offers some of the most spectacular views you'll find on the island. The walk to the summit from Totland Bay is a proper leg-stretcher - about an hour's steady climb through chalk grassland that gets increasingly wild as you ascend.

Once at the top, the panoramic views are absolutely worth the effort. On a clear day you can see across the Solent to the New Forest, west to Dorset's coastline, and south across the English Channel. The summit itself is marked by a small concrete pillar, nothing fancy, but the 360-degree vistas more than make up for any lack of ceremony.

Walkers and photographers will get the most from this spot, though families with older children who don't mind a decent hike will find it rewarding too. The downland is dotted with rare chalk flowers in summer, making it popular with botanists as well.

Being National Trust land, access is free year-round. Allow two to three hours for the round trip from Totland Bay. Best tackled in the morning when the light is clearest for photography. If you're staying at nearby parks like The Bay Colwell or Heathfield Farm Camping Park, this makes an excellent day out that'll give you proper bragging rights about conquering the Wight's heights.