Crookburn Pike

The walk up Crookburn Pike from the surrounding moorland isn't what you'd call a slog, but it's proper rewarding once you crest the top. The fell sits just south of Carlisle, making it an ideal afternoon mission if you're based at High Hall Farm Campsite or exploring the northern Lake District fringe. From the summit, you get panoramic views across the Pennines and down towards the Solway Firth - on a clear day, it's genuinely impressive. The terrain is moorland and grassland, so it's not technical walking, though the ground can be boggy in patches after rain. You'll want decent boots.

This is proper country for walkers rather than casual strollers. Most people allow two to three hours there and back, depending on which route you take. Families with older kids who enjoy outdoor time will get something from it; younger children might find the lack of landmarks a bit monotonous. It's free to access, naturally, since it's open fell. The real appeal is the isolation - you won't find crowds up here, even in peak season. If you're doing a Cumbrian holiday and want something more rugged than the well-trodden Lake District classics, Crookburn Pike delivers solid fell walking without the tourist infrastructure. Combine it with a day exploring Carlisle's market and sandstone buildings, and you've got a decent two-part day worked out.