Heck Crag

The walk up Heck Crag rewards you with one of those views that makes the effort feel genuinely worthwhile. It's a proper fell top near Penrith - nothing vast or imposing, but the kind of place where you stand at the summit and suddenly understand why people walk the Lake District in the first place.

You get views across the northern lakes and valleys here, and on a clear day the sight lines stretch properly far. The fell itself is straightforward enough - not technical, just a steady pull with decent paths most of the way. Most walkers will manage it in under two hours return, though that depends entirely on your pace and how many times you stop to breathe and look around.

This one suits fell walkers more than casual strollers. If you're staying at Ullswater Holiday Park or Park Foot Holiday Park - both decent bases for the area - Heck Crag makes a solid morning outing before lunch. It's close enough to Penrith to slot into a bigger day out without feeling rushed, but you won't want to linger here much beyond half an hour at the top unless the weather's exceptional.

Go early to beat the crowds on good weekends. The ground gets boggy in places after wet weather, so decent boots matter. Free to visit, obviously - it's a fell walk.