John Waller Monument

The John Waller Monument sits on a windswept stretch of moorland between Kirkby Stephen and the higher peaks - a sturdy stone memorial that catches you slightly off-guard when you spot it. Waller was a local lad who died in the First World War, and this 1920s monument marks both his memory and a particular stretch of fell that meant something to those who built it. The thing about it is, you don't just visit this in isolation. It's the sort of landmark you'd stumble upon during a proper moorland walk rather than drive out specially to see, though it's worth knowing it's there if you're tramping the hills around Kirkby Stephen. The views from the monument are genuinely excellent - proper northern fell country, the kind that makes you understand why people talk about the landscape here with such feeling. It's free, obviously, and takes minutes rather than hours. The Gillcumber Glamping Pods are just a mile or so away if you're basing yourself nearby, making it an easy detour from your accommodation. Winter weather up here can be fierce, so pick a clearer day if you want to appreciate the surroundings properly. History enthusiasts and fell walkers will get the most from it; younger kids might find it a bit bleak and windswept unless they're already keen on the outdoors.