Whiteleaf Barrow

The Whiteleaf Cross cuts into the chalk hillside near Aylesbury like a giant's signature. What you're actually looking at is an Iron Age barrow - a prehistoric burial mound - topped by a cross that Victorian enthusiasts carved out in the 1800s. It's on the Chiltern Hills, which means the walk up is proper steep, but once you've climbed it, you get views across Buckinghamshire that make the huffing and puffing worthwhile.

This is genuinely good for history types and anyone who enjoys a bit of a ramble. Kids might find the actual barrow itself a touch underwhelming - it's essentially an ancient grassy bump - but the climb and the vantage point will keep them occupied. Allow a good hour if you're not a rushed walker, longer if you want to sit and take in the landscape.

It's free, obviously. No visitor centre, no facilities. Just you, ancient Britain, and some fairly relentless topography. The best light is either early morning or late afternoon - midday glare washes out the views. If you're staying at Orchard View Farm Camping or Bella Vista Camping, both under three miles away, this makes an excellent half-day outing that doesn't require another car journey. Pair it with a pub lunch in Aylesbury afterwards and you've got a proper day sorted.