Cats Tor

The walk up Cats Tor starts straightforward enough, but the gradient catches up with you quickly once you're committed. It's a proper fell rather than a gentle ramble - the kind of place where your legs remind you they exist. From the top, the views across the Peak District unfold in all directions, with Buxton visible in the distance and the moorland rolling out like someone's thrown a brown and green blanket across the hills.

The tor itself is modest - don't expect dramatic rock formations or anything dramatic. It's more about the sense of achievement and the panorama than the destination itself. On a clear day it's genuinely excellent; on a murky one, you'll be wondering why you bothered. Allow a couple of hours for the round trip from the nearest car park, depending on fitness and how long you linger at the top.

Walkers will get the most from this one. Kids can do it, but they need to be the sort who'll enjoy a proper uphill slog for the reward of views rather than a summit that does something interesting. It's free to access - there's no gate or fee to worry about.

Staying at one of the caravan parks near Buxton - Eastwood End or Lime Tree are both within five miles - makes this an easy half-day addition to a broader Peak District walking trip. It pairs well with exploring Buxton itself and some of the easier walks in the surrounding area if your group has mixed abilities.