The Gilkin

Standing at 1,191 feet, this modest summit sits quietly between Ashbourne and the more famous peaks of the Peak District. The Gilkin won't make anyone's bucket list of dramatic mountain conquests, but that's rather the point - it's a proper walker's hill that rewards effort with surprisingly good views across the Dove Valley without the weekend crowds.

Walkers looking for a decent leg-stretch will find the climb well worth it, though families with small children might find the ascent a bit much. The route up isn't technically challenging, but it's steady going and takes a good hour or so from most starting points. Once you're up there, the panorama takes in the rolling Derbyshire countryside and, on clear days, you can spot the more dramatic limestone country to the north.

It's free to wander, naturally, and the hill is accessible year-round, though autumn offers the best combination of clear air and manageable walking conditions. For those staying at Carsington Water Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite or any of the other parks near Ashbourne, The Gilkin makes a solid day out - not spectacular, but satisfying in that quiet way that proper countryside walks should be.