Castleber Hill

The walk up Castleber Hill from Skipton is straightforward enough - nothing technical, nothing that'll leave you gasping - but the views across the Ribble Valley make it worth the leg work. You're looking at proper moorland terrain once you get above the tree line, with the Pennines rolling away in one direction and a surprisingly broad vista southwards towards Pendle Hill if the light's right.

It's not a mountain. Don't arrive expecting drama. What you get instead is a solid hour's walking from the nearest town, decent views for the effort, and the quiet satisfaction of being somewhere most day-trippers can't be bothered to reach. Families with older kids will manage it fine; the path's clear and there are no real scrambles. Younger children might find it tedious unless they're keen walkers already.

You'll want to allow two to three hours if you're making an afternoon of it, including time at the top. Spring and early summer beat the rest of the year - clearer skies, less mud. There's free access, naturally, being moorland.

If you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Thornton Hall's practically on your doorstep, or Holgates Ribble Valley if you want more facilities - this makes a decent leg-stretcher without demanding a full day commitment. It's genuinely useful as a break from site rather than a destination in itself. Skipton's close enough that you could grab a bite there afterwards.