1. Tennyson Down, Isle of Wight

One of the most exciting places to be is right at the western tip of the Isle of Wight, taking in a view of the three near-vertical stacks of chalk called the Needles (see photo above). You can reach them via an exhilarating tramp across Tennyson Down, which is part of the chalk downland that forms the backbone of the island – or you can take a breath-taking trip in a chairlift down to the multi-coloured sands of Alum Bay and visit them by boat.

Either way, your visit might also include seeing the only church with a thatched roof on the island – St Agnes in Freshwater Bay. The Victorian poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson lived at nearby Farringford, and it was his son Hallam who donated land for this new church in 1908. The church nestles beneath Tennyson Down, named after the poet, and it’s on a cycle route around the Isle of Wight.

2. Sandown Bay and Shanklin Chine

Similarly exhilarating is the walk along the entire stretch of Sandown Bay on the eastern side of the island. It’s part of the Isle of Wight Coastal Walk, and you can take in all five miles of its sandy beach, or walk along the sandstone cliff-top. You can visit the seaside resorts of Sandown and Shanklin, perhaps visiting St Saviour-on-the-Cliff Church as you head towards Shanklin Chine or the picturesque heart of the old village.

Shanklin Chine is a wooded coastal ravine, which includes a stream running through it and a number of waterfalls. Originally popular in the Victorian era, it’s now open day and night – with the stunning lighting a particular interest.

Emerge at the other end, and it’s only a short walk to St Blasius Church, Shanklin. It’s a historic church which may have been originally built in the 12th century, but much of what remains dates from a restoration in 1852.

3. Queen Elizabeth Country Park and Buriton

Fancy a forest walk that takes in this idyllic village scene of historic church and quiet duckpond? You can include St Mary’s Church, Buriton, in a walk from the Queen Elizabeth Country Park.

The vast country park is ideal for ramblers and cyclists, and has several pitches where groups can host barbecues. But it doesn’t take too long to get away from the crowds and enjoy the seclusion of the forest itself.

Why not park in the car park for the Queen Elizabeth Country Park, and head south, passing the café and a children’s play area. A tarmac path will swing you to the east – an alternative is to take a parallel footpath just to the south of the tarmacked road. Follow the South Downs Way, which takes you off the tarmacked road and onto a bridleway, heading slightly upwards.

After a path joins you from the right, you’ll face a fork in the path. Continue along the South Downs Way, then take a right fork, which takes you out of the forest and swings you round into Halls Hill car park. Near the intersection with Kilns Lane, you take a dirt track through a small wooded area that is full of quarry holes.

Go under a railway bridge and you’ll emerge next to the pond in Buriton. It’s a great place to eat lunch, as you watch the ducks. There are also some excellent pubs nearby.

Beyond the pond is the historic St Mary’s church. The original building there dates from 1086, but this church was built in Norman times and until 1886 was the mother church for the whole of the Petersfield area. Take a few moments to appreciate its 12th century nave and 18th century tower.

You can retrace your steps, or you can complete a circular walk. Walk past the Five Bells pub and turn left at the Nest Hotel up Kiln Lane. Turn right just after the railway bridge, back into the forest. You’ll soon hit the signposted routes inside the Queen Elizabeth Country park and be able to make your way back to its café - there are a few routes to choose from.

5. The Warrior Trail, Isle of Wight

He was dubbed ‘the horse the Germans could not kill’ - and you can follow in his footsteps! The Warrior Trail is a six-mile circular trail on the Isle of Wight that was created to recall an infamous First World War story. Warrior was the real-life war horse of General Jack Seely, who survived some of the war’s most famous battles.

The general was a friend of Winston Churchill and his horse was raised and trained on the island. When Warrior returned in 1918, he became a local hero – he went on to win the lightweight race at the Isle of Wight Point to Point in 1922.

The Warrior Trail follows much of the route on which Warrior was exercised, including the beach at Brook Bay where he was trained to deal with fighting in the surf. It includes the villages of Brook and Mottistone and their historic churches.

Begin near Five Barrows, an ancient burial mound, past which Warrior might have galloped. Wind through the picturesque village of Brook to the old lifeboat station on the coast, near where Warrior would have trained.

The exhilarating coastal path gives you the chance to gaze out into the English Channel as you stroll east. Turn left and head into Mottistone via Ridget Lane, and you can pause for a moment in Mottistone Church.

Originally built in medieval times, the current building dates from the 15th century. Its parclose screen was designed by Lord Mottistone in memory of his father – the General Seely who rode Warrior. Head through the grounds of Mottistone Manor – the home of General Seely and Warrior until the 1940s – towards the Longstone, a neolithic ceremonial worshipping stone. If it’s the right time of year, the scent of bluebells will hang in the air in the hollow-way.

Then there’s a heady walk under Mottistone Down towards Brook Hill House and Brook Church. Behind the church is a field where Warrior spent his younger days.