Sandale Hill

The walk up Sandale Hill isn't going to take your breath away in the way Skiddaw might, but that's rather the point. This is a proper fell that rewards you without demanding much - a couple of hours from Wigton gets you to the top with views across the northern fells that are genuinely worth the effort.

It's a straightforward climb, the kind of thing families with reasonably fit kids can manage without drama. The path is well-trodden but not boring, and you get that satisfying moment when the wider landscape suddenly opens up around you. On a clear day you're looking south towards the central Lake District fells, north towards Scotland. The summit itself is modest - a cairn and bragging rights - but that's fell-walking, isn't it.

Bring a decent map. The approach from near Wigton is straightforward enough, but these northern hills can throw weather at you without warning. Two to three hours round trip depending on pace and how long you want to sit about at the top with a flask.

If you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Wallace Lane Farm Holiday Park is closest at under three miles - this makes an excellent half-day walk that doesn't require the commitment of a full Lake District expedition. Caldbeck Camping and Kestrel Lodge are similarly well-placed. It's the sort of walk that clears your head without exhausting you, which is exactly what some hill days should do.