Melling Mount

The walk up Melling Mount from Heaton's Bridge feels deceptively modest until you're actually climbing it. What starts as a gentle country ramble transforms into proper fell walking once you commit to the summit push - the gradient catches you off guard, but rewards you with views across the Bowland fells that stretch for miles. On a clear day you can pick out the shapes of proper peaks in the distance, though the Lancashire moorland has its own quiet drama even when cloud sits low.

This is one for walkers rather than casual strollers. Allow a solid hour and a half for the round trip, and decent boots matter - it's boggy underfoot in places, especially after rain. Families with older kids who actually enjoy walking will get plenty from it; under tens might find it a slog, to be honest.

There's no visitor centre or facilities to speak of, so bring water and a packed lunch if you're settling in for the afternoon. The mountain itself is free to access - it's open moorland - and the best time to visit is late spring through early autumn when the paths dry out properly.

If you're staying at The Secret Garden Glamping, just five miles away, Melling Mount makes an excellent morning excursion before returning for lunch. It pairs well with exploring the Bowland Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty more broadly - this gives you that sense of serious Lancashire upland without needing to venture into the Lake District.