Giant's Chair

The walk up to Giant's Chair, just outside Carnforth, is straightforward enough - a steady climb through moorland that takes the better part of an hour depending on your pace. What makes it worth the effort is the sudden, proper vista you get at the top: the Morecambe Bay spreads out in front of you like someone's unrolled a map, and on clear days you can pick out the Lake District hills in the distance. The "chair" itself is a natural rock formation that does genuinely look like someone's carved out an enormous seat. It's one of those places where the view does most of the talking. Kids will find the scramble up mildly interesting, though they'll probably lose interest quickly once they realise there's no café or facilities at the top. For walkers basing themselves at one of the local parks - Holgates or Bay View are closest at just over a mile away - it makes a decent half-day expedition without needing to venture far. The moorland walk itself is pleasant, rolling country with enough going on underfoot to keep things from feeling boring. Allow about two hours there and back if you're not rushing. It's free to access, naturally, since it's just open moorland. Go on a day when the weather's half decent. Mist rolls in fast up here and you might as well be staring at a grey wall. Best in late afternoon when the light softens across the bay.