Crank Hill

The walk up Crank Hill from Skelmersdale isn't going to blow your mind, but it's a solid afternoon outing if you're staying in the area. You get proper views across Lancashire once you're up there - the kind of outlook that reminds you why people bother with peaks in the north. On a clear day you can see right across to the hills beyond, which is decent enough given the modest elevation.

It's the sort of place where walkers actually use their boots rather than just admire them. The routes are straightforward enough that families with kids won't struggle, though younger ones might find the push to the top a bit of a grind. Allow an hour and a half for a steady walk up and back down. There's a pleasingly unfussy feel to it - no visitor centre, no admission fee, just a hill that's there if you want it.

If you're glamping at The Secret Garden just down the road, this makes a logical morning walk before breakfast. It's close enough that you won't spend half your day getting there, but far enough that you actually feel like you've done something. The terrain's manageable year-round, though winter can get boggy after heavy rain. Worth the detour if you're based nearby, but probably not worth planning your whole trip around. It's the kind of local spot that works brilliantly once you're in the area.