Gaw Hill

The walk up Gaw Hill is straightforward rather than dramatic, but that's rather the point - you're not scrambling up some Lake District fortress here. This is Lancashire moorland, rolling and accessible, with views that stretch across to Winter Hill and beyond if the weather plays along.

You'll find it easily enough from Hurlston Green, and the climb takes about forty minutes at a leisurely pace. The path isn't overly worn or obvious in places, so a bit of map reading helps. At the top you get proper open views across the county - not jaw-dropping, but genuinely pleasant on a clear day, and absolutely worth the short detour if you're staying in the area.

Walkers will get the most from this one. Families with young children might find the journey a touch tedious - it's not a thrilling destination, more of a pleasant leg-stretcher. There's nothing marked as officially 'on' the hill itself, just moorland and views.

If you're based at The Secret Garden Glamping down in Hurlston Green, Gaw Hill makes a solid morning outing before heading elsewhere. It's the sort of place you do because you're nearby, not because you've driven hours to see it. Pair it with a walk around Winter Hill or tackle some of the other local peaks if you want to make a proper day of the moorland. Admission is free, obviously - it's open moorland. Allow an hour return trip at a steady pace.