Castle Hill

Castle Hill rises sharply from the outskirts of Macclesfield, a proper landmark that you can spot from miles away across the Cheshire plains. The summit isn't difficult to reach - a decent walk of about half an hour from the base - and the reward is a commanding view across the valley and towards the Peak District beyond. On a clear day you can pick out shapes and ridges that hint at what's coming further south.

It's the kind of place where you get a real sense of why someone built a castle here centuries ago. The vantage point is obvious when you stand up there. There's nothing elaborate to see now, mind you - just grassy slopes and the ghost of what was - but history buffs won't mind the absence of stonework. The walk itself is the thing: solid Cheshire moorland, the wind in your face, and countryside that actually feels removed from the industrial sprawl you've just driven through.

Walkers will find it straightforward enough. You don't need specialist kit or maps. Families with reasonably fit kids will manage the ascent without drama, though littler ones might need coaxing on the way up. Allow an hour including the summit pause. It's free, naturally.

If you're staying at Sycamore Farm Caravan Site just outside town, Castle Hill makes an excellent morning sortie before heading deeper into Peak District country. The walk clears your head, and the views remind you why you've come north in the first place.