Castley Knotts

The walk up Castley Knotts from near Kendal is steep, relentless, and absolutely worth doing on a clear day. You're looking at rough fell terrain rather than a groomed path, so proper boots matter. The summit itself isn't particularly high, but what you get for your effort is a proper vantage point over the Kent Valley and across to the Lake District proper beyond. On a good afternoon, you can see right across to the bigger peaks - the kind of view that makes you forget how knackered your legs are.

This is walker territory through and through. The scramble up takes the best part of an hour depending on fitness, and there's no shelter or facilities at the top, so you need to be self-sufficient. Families with younger kids might find it a bit of a slog for the reward, unless they're the hiking sort. It's the kind of place you go for the graft and the satisfaction, not for a leisurely afternoon stroll.

If you're staying at Two Acre Glamping Pods just outside Kendal, you could easily factor this in as a morning or afternoon outing. It's close enough that you won't waste time driving, far enough that it feels like proper exploration rather than a quick leg-stretch. Combine it with a look around Kendal itself, and you've got a solid day. The Ashes Caravan Park is a bit further afield, but still a reasonable base if you're planning several walks in the area.