Bampton Fell

The walk up Bampton Fell from Penrith takes you into proper Lake District terrain without the crowds you'd battle on Catbells or Helvellyn. It's a modest peak at 513 metres, but don't let that fool you - the climb is genuine work, especially in the final push through bracken and loose stone.

What makes it worth the effort is the vantage point over Ullswater and the northern fells. On a clear day you can see across to the High Street range and down towards Glenridding. The fell itself is open moorland with just enough rocky outcrops to make it feel like proper fell-walking rather than a park stroll.

This is a walker's fell, plain and simple. Families with young kids will find the 4-5 hour round trip from Bampton village fairly punishing, though older teenagers who've done a few hills before will manage it fine. History enthusiasts won't find much - it's about the landscape, not the archaeology.

Start early if you're going in summer; the car park at Bampton village can fill up by mid-morning on weekends. There's no facilities on the fell itself, so bring water. The route isn't technically difficult, but navigation can be sketchy in cloud, so don't go in poor visibility without a map.

If you're staying at Park Foot Holiday Park or Ullswater Holiday Park nearby, Bampton Fell works brilliantly as a full day out that avoids the Penrith honeypots. Less dramatic than the big names, but far more peaceful.