Leckhampton

The village itself is primarily residential, but the reason most people come here is Leckhampton Hill, which rises directly behind it and commands some genuinely impressive views across the landscape. On a clear day you can see for miles from the top, and it's only about a thirty-minute walk up depending on how steady your pace is.

The hill's most distinctive feature is the Devil's Chimney, a tall rock pillar that stands isolated on the slope like a jagged finger pointing upward. It's actually a result of old quarrying work that cut away the surrounding stone, leaving this formation stranded and creating its rather striking silhouette. The name stuck because of how odd it looks. The chimney proved surprisingly resilient when an earthquake shook the area in 1926, though it was properly restored and stabilized in 1985, so it's completely safe to visit and explore.

The walking here is genuinely good. You can put together a circular route that takes in the hill, the chimney, and some wooded footpaths without too much faffing about. It draws plenty of local walkers as well as visitors, particularly at weekends. From Cheltenham it makes a straightforward afternoon trip. Access is free, and while it's peaceful it never feels cut off from civilization. Just wear proper walking shoes though, as the paths turn quite muddy after rain.