Winsbury Hill

You get a proper work-out getting up Winsbury Hill, but it's the kind of effort that pays off. The approach from Bath is straightforward enough - a steady climb through woodland that opens up to reveal the Mendips stretching away in all directions. On a clear day, the views south towards the levels are excellent, and you can pick out landmarks all the way to Glastonbury if you squint hard enough.

It's not a dramatic peak by Alpine standards, but for Somerset it's a solid hike and takes about an hour to the top if you're going at a reasonable pace. The summit itself is relatively exposed moorland with gorse and bracken - nothing flashy, but genuinely lovely on a decent afternoon. Walkers will appreciate the lack of crowds, especially compared to the tourist-trampled routes closer to the Gorge. History types might find the Bronze Age barrows interesting, though they're subtle things - you won't be gawping at obvious monuments.

The real appeal is the walk itself rather than arriving somewhere Instagram-worthy. It's genuinely good leg-work, the kind where your thighs remind you next morning, and it clears the head properly. If you're staying at Bath Mill Lodge Retreat or anywhere else in the Bath area, this makes an excellent half-day expedition. Go early to beat the weekend walkers, and wear proper boots - it can get boggy after rain.