Woodborough Hill

You get a proper sense of achievement when you crest Woodborough Hill. It's not a slog - the walk from Marlborough takes around 45 minutes if you're steady - but the views across the Marlborough Downs once you're up there make the effort feel worthwhile. The summit sits 238 metres above sea level, which doesn't sound like much until you're standing there looking out over Wiltshire's rolling chalk landscape.

This is a walker's destination, plain and simple. The hill itself is free to access, and there's no faffing about with opening hours or admission fees. You park near Marlborough and head up on foot. It's the sort of place where you'll spot kites circling overhead and, if you're lucky, catch sight of the Iron Age fort earthworks that crown the top. History types will appreciate the ancient significance; families with reasonably fit kids will find it manageable; and solo walkers after some quiet time will get exactly that.

If you're staying at one of the nearby campsites - Ridgeway Campsite sits just 2.7 miles away, or Little Owls Camping at 2.9 miles - Woodborough Hill makes an excellent half-day outing. The weather can turn quickly on the Downs, so go early and bring a windproof. Allow two to three hours total if you want to actually breathe in the view at the top rather than just tick it off.