Orrest Head

Fifteen minutes uphill from Windermere town and you'll understand why Alfred Wainwright called this the finest viewpoint in the southern Lakes. Standing at just 238 metres, Orrest Head punches well above its weight when it comes to panoramic drama. The walk starts right from the A591 near Windermere railway station, following a well-maintained woodland path that's steep enough to get the heart pumping but manageable for most fitness levels. Families with older children will cope fine, though toddlers might need carrying for the final push. At the summit, the view opens up like a map of the Lake District - Windermere stretches out below while the Langdale Pikes and Helvellyn dominate the northern horizon. It's proper stunning on a clear day, though morning visits often reward you with mist clearing from the valleys. The whole trip takes about an hour return, making it an ideal leg-stretcher if you're staying at one of the nearby holiday parks like White Cross Bay or Fallbarrow. Photography enthusiasts should bring a wide-angle lens - the vista is enormous. Weather can change quickly up here, so pack a waterproof even if it looks fine down in town. For many visitors, this becomes their favourite Lake District walk precisely because it delivers such spectacular rewards for relatively modest effort.