Blanch Fell

The walk up Blanch Fell from Lancaster isn't long, but it's steep enough to make your legs properly work. You're looking at around 1,000 feet of ascent over a couple of miles, and the path doesn't mess about - it climbs through moorland that gets windier and wider as you gain height. On a clear day, the views across the Lune Valley and towards the Pennines are genuinely excellent. The summit itself is fairly modest, just a cairn and some boggy ground, but that's not really the point.

This is a walk for people who want proper exercise without needing mountaineering skills. Families with older kids will manage it fine, though younger children might struggle with the steepness - it's relentless rather than technical. The route is straightforward enough that you won't need a map, though the top can get misty fast, so checking the forecast matters. Allow a good three hours for the round trip if you're not racing.

Blanch Fell works well as a morning sortie if you're based at Crook O'Lune Holiday Park or Hidden Hills Luxury Glamping, both within striking distance of Lancaster. You can knock it out before lunch without it dominating your day. The moorland itself is beautiful in its bleakness - heather and bracken mostly - and you'll likely have the fell pretty much to yourself, which is refreshing if you've been dodging crowds at busier Lake District spots. Good boots essential; the ground gets boggy after rain.