Pendle Hill

The walk up Pendle Hill isn't a secret anymore, but it's worth doing anyway. You get 1,628 metres of proper moorland, views across Lancashire and into the Lake District, and a fair bit of history attached to the slopes - this is witch trial country, and the fell looms large in the 1612 trials that gripped the region. The ascent takes most people two hours from the car park near Barley, a small hamlet just outside Carnforth. It's steep in places and the paths can be boggy, but nothing technical.

This is a walk for anyone who fancies a proper day out rather than a gentle stroll. Families with teenagers will manage it fine; younger kids might find it tough going. The summit itself is a bit of a letdown - just moorland and a cairn - but the views justify the effort, especially on clear days when you can pick out Morecambe Bay. On cloudy days it feels moody and atmospheric, which arguably suits the hill's dark history better anyway.

Free to walk, obviously. Allow half a day if you're making a proper job of it with a packed lunch at the top. If you're based at one of the nearby parks - Little Acre or Once Upon a Fell are closest at under two miles - it's a decent way to burn off energy between park life. The ground can be wet even after dry weather, so proper boots are essential rather than optional.