Christopher Brow Top

The walk up Christopher Brow Top isn't long, but it's steep enough to make you feel like you've earned the view. From Kirkby Stephen, you're looking at a proper fell rather than a casual hill walk - the sort of place where the Pennine wind actually means something.

The real reward is the panorama once you're up there. On a clear day you can see right across the Eden Valley, and the fell itself has that raw, open character that makes the Lake District's flatter neighbours feel somehow more honest. There's nothing manicured about it. You'll see stone walls, rough grass, and honest sky.

Walkers will get the most from this one. It's not a destination for hanging about - there's nowhere to sit and settle in - but as part of a longer day exploring the Pennines around Kirkby Stephen, it's absolutely worth the detour. Families with older kids who don't mind a bit of huffing will manage it fine. Expect about an hour's walking from the nearest parking, depending on your fitness and the weather.

The nearest accommodation worth mentioning is Gillcumber Glamping Pods, a short drive away, which would give you a proper base for exploring the fells in this part of Cumbria. The pods themselves have strong reviews, and honestly, after a day on the tops, the idea of returning to somewhere comfortable rather than a tent holds real appeal.

Go when the weather's set fair. This isn't a place that rewards a visit in horizontal rain.