Sow How

The walk up Sow How is a proper Lake District ascent - steep in places, but manageable for anyone with decent knees and an hour to spare. You're looking at roughly 300 metres of elevation from Ulverston direction, which sounds modest until you're actually doing it. The summit itself isn't dramatic - no rocky peak or fell-top drama - but the views south towards Morecambe Bay and north into the central fells are genuinely worth the grunt. On a clear day you can pick out Helvellyn and the Coniston range, which justifies the effort.

Families with older children will enjoy this more than small kids, if I'm honest. It's not a casual stroll and the terrain gets boggy in places, but it's not exposed or dangerous. Walkers tackling the Three Peaks will find Sow How a decent warm-up without being trivial. History types might find the fell's pastoral setting interesting - you're on proper working farmland here - but there's no heritage site at the top itself.

From Hill of Oaks or Newby Bridge caravan parks (both within two miles), this makes an excellent half-day hike to break up a longer Lake District stay. It's free, of course, and there's parking on minor roads near the base depending on which approach you take. Spring and autumn are best - summer crowds tend to head for Scafell and Helvellyn, leaving Sow How refreshingly quiet. Worth the detour if you're in the area.