Herds Hill

Climbing 1,100 feet above the Wharfe Valley, this modest fell rewards walkers with proper Yorkshire views across the Dales. The ascent from the Bolton Abbey Estate takes about an hour and a half, winding through moorland that can get properly boggy after rain - good boots essential.

From the summit cairn, you'll spot Barden Fell stretching north and the distinctive outline of Pendle Hill on clear days. It's not the most dramatic peak in the Dales, but the panoramic sweep across Wharfedale makes the effort worthwhile. Families with older children will manage the walk comfortably, though the terrain gets rough higher up.

Best tackled as part of a longer ridge walk or combined with a visit to the nearby Bolton Priory ruins. The hill sits just outside Skipton, making it easily accessible for those staying at the Bolton Abbey Estate campsite or the various holiday parks scattered around the Wharfe Valley. Spring through autumn offers the clearest conditions, though winter walkers get the fells largely to themselves - if they don't mind the wind.