Birkett Knott

The walk up Birkett Knott from Kirkby Stephen is properly straightforward - nothing that'll leave you gasping for breath, but the fell rewards you with views that justify the climb. You're looking south towards the Pennines, and on a clear day the whole valley opens up in front of you. It takes maybe an hour there and back depending on your pace, and the path is well-trodden without being rammed with people.

This is one for walkers who want fresh air without the mountain-rescue drama. The summit itself is modest, no dramatic cairn or shelter, just a sense of having earned a good vantage point. Families with older kids will manage it fine, though younger ones might whinge about the climb. The fell can be boggy in places after rain, so proper boots matter more than the elevation suggests.

If you're staying at Gillcumber Glamping Pods nearby, it's the sort of walk that fits perfectly into a half-day. Leave in the morning, be back for lunch. The Pennine Way runs through this landscape, so if you're after something longer, Birkett Knott works as a warm-up or a diversion from the main path. There's no entrance fee or facilities at the summit itself - just bring water and weather sense. April through October is ideal, though locals will tell you to start early in summer when the light's best. Winter's doable if you don't mind mud and potentially whipping wind.