Cowber Hill

The walk up Cowber Hill from Kirkby Stephen rewards you with proper moorland views across the Eden Valley - nothing fancy, just honest fell scenery. It's a straightforward ascent that takes most people a couple of hours to the summit and back, depending on fitness and how often you stop to catch your breath.

What you're after here is the vantage point rather than any structure or feature at the top. The fell itself is open access, free to wander, and the paths are well-trodden enough that you won't get lost. On a clear day you can see across to the Lake District hills, which makes the effort feel worthwhile. The moorland around the summit has that windswept, tufty grass character you either love or find a bit bleak - it's not lush woodland walking.

Families with older children and walkers will get the most from this. Young kids might find the exposed moorland a bit dull after thirty minutes, and the weather can turn quickly up here, so check the forecast before you head out. Summer's the obvious choice, but it's accessible year-round if you're prepared for mud and wind.

If you're based at Gillcumber Glamping Pods or Wild Rose Holiday Park nearby, Cowber Hill works as a half-day outing - perfectly manageable without making the whole holiday revolve around one walk. It's a solid local hill rather than a destination in itself, but that's exactly why it works well alongside proper park time.