Cocklaw Fell

The walk up Cocklaw Fell doesn't announce itself with any fuss, which is rather the point. It's a proper fell, not a high mountain, but it gives you the kind of views across the Lake District that make the modest climb feel generous. Starting from near Kendal, you're looking at a straightforward ascent that takes most people between ninety minutes and two hours up and back down again.

What you get is a vantage point over the eastern fells - rolling green slopes, a sense of genuine distance without needing to be a mountaineer about it. The summit itself is open moorland, which means the wind can catch you properly, and there's no shelter to speak of. Bring a jacket even when it looks calm in the valley.

Walkers will find this one satisfying rather than gruelling. Families with older kids who've done a bit of fell walking can manage it without complaint, though younger ones might struggle with the consistent gradient. History buffs won't find much archaeological interest up top, but the landscape itself tells the story of the Lake District's geology and sheep farming.

It's free, obviously - no gates, no fees. The real value is fitting it into a longer day out from Kendal. If you're based at Windermere Camping and Caravanning Club Site about five miles away, you could easily make this a morning walk before tackling other attractions in the region. Avoid the very height of summer on weekends when the parking areas get rammed, and go when the visibility is decent - there's no point summiting in cloud just for the tick.