Wylye Down National Nature Reserve

The chalk downland rolls on for miles, and Wylye Down National Nature Reserve is one of those places where you suddenly understand why people got excited about conservation in the first place. It's proper open country - short grass, wildflowers in season, the works. You're walking through genuine chalk grassland, the sort of habitat that's become scarce because most of it got ploughed up decades ago.

What you actually do here is walk. There's no visitor centre, no café, no facilities to speak of. Just you, the landscape, and if you're lucky, some of the flora and fauna that made the place worth protecting - butterflies, orchids, the odd bird of prey overhead. The views back towards Salisbury are decent, especially on a clear day. Bring binoculars if you're into spotting things; the reserve sits in good raptor country.

It's the sort of spot that appeals to proper walkers and nature enthusiasts rather than casual visitors. Families with young kids might find it a bit bare-bones unless the children are genuinely into wildlife. An hour's walk works, though you could easily spend longer if you're doing the full circuit and taking your time.

If you're camping at Marshwood Farm just down the road - which is rated brilliantly - this makes an excellent morning outing. It's free to access and rewards a bit of effort. The rolling chalk landscape is genuinely different from what you'll see around the more crowded spots near Stonehenge Campsite, so it's worth the detour if you've got time.