Roundclose Hill

Roundclose Hill sits just outside Cockermouth, a proper modest fell that doesn't demand much fanfare but rewards a bit of effort. It's the sort of walk you can knock out in an afternoon without needing a full day's expedition - the kind of thing that feels satisfying rather than gruelling.

The ascent is straightforward enough, taking you up through mixed woodland before opening onto the fell top where the views across the Northern Lake District spread out properly. On a clear day you can clock Skiddaw and the higher peaks beyond, though Roundclose itself isn't tall enough to feel dramatic. What you do get is a real sense of being away from things without having to navigate technical terrain or dodge crowds.

Families with reasonably fit kids will manage it fine. The walk takes a couple of hours there and back depending on your pace, and there's nothing particularly treacherous underfoot. History enthusiasts won't find much to chew on - it's a straightforward fell walk rather than a tourist attraction stuffed with plaques and information boards.

If you're based at one of the nearby campsites - Whinfell Hall Farm or Skiddaw View aren't far - it makes a cracking morning out before heading back for lunch. Don't expect a destination in itself; think of it as part of a proper walking holiday in the area. The walk scratches that Lakeland itch without the queuing and bustle you'd get at more famous peaks. Worth doing if you're already camped nearby and the weather's decent.