Bentha Hill

The walk up Bentha Hill from the Skipton side is straightforward enough, though the final push gets a bit steep for what amounts to a modest Lancashire fell. What you get for your effort is a proper vantage point across the Ribble Valley - the sort of view that makes sense of why people bother with these hills at all. On a clear day you can pick out the edges of the surrounding moorland, and it's worth timing your visit for late afternoon when the light sits lower and turns everything golden.

Historically minded walkers will find the ascent more rewarding than casual ramblers. This isn't a dramatic peak, and families with young children might manage the climb but could well find themselves restless once they've reached the top. Count on an hour and a half for a leisurely round trip from the car, though you can shift through it faster if you're just after the exercise.

The hill works well as part of a wider walking circuit in the area rather than a standalone destination. If you're based at one of the nearby parks - Thornton Hall is closest at just two miles away - you can easily combine it with exploration of the broader Ribble Valley landscape. Shay Gate Farm and Calder Farm campsite give you a cheaper base for accessing the fells without paying resort prices.

Going isn't free, naturally - car parking locally costs a few quid - and there are no facilities on the hill itself, so bring water. Spring and autumn are optimal: summer crowds can make the approach paths muddy, and winter snow makes navigation trickier than it should be.