Blacko Hill

The walk up Blacko Hill takes you away from Nelson's mill towns and into proper Pennine country within minutes. You're looking at a modest peak - 1,222 feet - but the climb is steady enough to feel earned, and the views at the top sweep across Lancashire's industrial past and the hills beyond.

The tower on the summit is the real draw. This stone structure was built in 1880 as a monument and local landmark, and it's absolutely worth the huff to reach it. On a clear day you can see the Forest of Pendle spreading out below, and if the visibility is decent, Yorkshire moorland in the distance. The path itself is straightforward if not hugely dramatic - moorland grass and grit tracks - which makes it ideal for families who want a proper walk without technical scrambling.

Allow roughly an hour up and 45 minutes back down, depending on fitness. Weekday mornings are quieter than weekends. There's no cafe at the top, so bring water and something to eat.

Staying at one of the nearby parks like Thornton Hall Country Park or Shay Gate Farm Campsite puts you perfectly positioned for this and other Pendle walks. It's the kind of outing that works better combined with a second location - maybe Pendle Hill itself across the valley - rather than as a standalone afternoon. The hill itself doesn't demand hours, but the landscape around it absolutely rewards exploration.