Windmill Down

The walk up Windmill Down, just outside Waterlooville, rewards you with one of those views that makes the effort feel entirely worthwhile. The summit sits at a decent height for Hampshire, and on a clear day you can see right across the South Downs - proper sprawling countryside rather than the manicured tourism stuff.

It's a straightforward climb from the car park, taking about twenty minutes on foot depending on your pace. The path is well-trodden and not particularly technical, though it does get muddy after rain. What you actually get at the top is the landscape itself - no visitor centre or café nonsense, just the view and whatever peace and quiet you find. That's the whole appeal, really.

Walkers make up the bulk of visitors, and it's an ideal Sunday afternoon outing for anyone staying at the nearby glamping and caravan sites like Wallops Wood or Rookesbury Park. Families with older kids will manage it fine; younger ones might find the walk a bit of a drag. History buffs won't find much on-site interpretation about the windmill itself - it's more about the ramble than the monument.

The best time to visit is early morning or late afternoon when you've got the place mostly to yourself. Go in winter when the air's clearer and you'll see more. Allow an hour or so total, including the walk and time to actually stand about looking at the view. Free to visit, no facilities up top, so bring water.