Gallows Hill

The walk up Gallows Hill from Kirkby Stephen is straightforward enough, though the name does rather set the tone for what you're climbing towards. It's a modest fell by Cumbrian standards - nothing that'll leave you gasping for breath - but the views across the Eden Valley more than justify the trip. On a clear day you can pick out Wild Boar Fell and the Howgill Fells, which is worth the 40 minutes or so it takes to get up there.

History buffs will find the name darkly intriguing, though there's not much on the ground itself these days except grass, heather and the satisfaction of having reached the top. Kids won't be bored by it if they're already into walking - it's short enough to avoid complaints but proper enough to feel like an actual expedition. You're looking at a couple of hours round trip if you're not in a tearing hurry.

The real appeal here is how accessible it is from Kirkby Stephen itself. Pop up for sunset if you can manage it, when the light hits the valley differently. It's the sort of fell that doesn't demand a full day out, which makes it ideal if you're staying at Gillcumber Glamping Pods just down the road - you could easily combine it with exploring the market town and calling it a morning well spent. Free to climb, naturally, and open whenever you fancy the walk.