Caer Mot

The walk up Caer Mot from Wigton rewards you with surprisingly decent views across the Solway Plain and toward the Lake District fells beyond. It's not a bruising climb - more of a proper leg-stretch than a full fell walk - which makes it popular with families who want a bit of height without committing to something serious.

What you're climbing is basically a wooded fell with an Iron Age fort tucked into the summit, though honestly the archaeology is subtle. You won't find dramatic ruins. What matters is the vantage point itself: on a clear day you can see across toward Skiddaw and the northern reaches of the Lakes. The route from Wigton is straightforward, and locals use it regularly, so navigation isn't fiddly.

Allow a couple of hours up and back depending on pace and how long you linger. Kids aged seven or eight onwards will manage it fine, though it can be boggy underfoot after rain, which isn't ideal if you've forgotten proper boots. The ground's not technical - just a bit damp and squelchy.

It's a useful day out if you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Skiddaw View or Forest Views are close enough for a morning or afternoon sortie. Fine on its own, but Caer Mot works best as part of a wider walk around this corner of Cumbria rather than a destination in itself. The Solway coastline and Carlisle aren't far off either if you fancy mixing fell walking with something else.