Gowbarrow Fell Summit

The walk up Gowbarrow Fell from the A592 near Penrith takes about ninety minutes, and it's one of those Lakeland ascents that rewards you properly without demanding Alpine fitness. The fell itself sits between Ullswater and the higher peaks further south, which means the views back toward the lake are genuinely spectacular - particularly in late afternoon when the light catches the water just right.

What you get at the summit is a 1,600-foot vantage point across Patterdale and beyond. On a clear day you can see right across to Helvellyn. The fell's low enough that it doesn't feel forbidding, but high enough that you feel like you've actually achieved something. The path's well-trodden and marked, which matters when cloud rolls in as it does up here.

This works brilliantly for walkers who fancy something more than a lakeside stroll but aren't ready to tackle the proper mountains. Families with older kids will manage it fine. The terrain's a mix of moorland and grass, nothing technical. Allow three hours return from the car park at Gowbarrow Park, where parking's free.

If you're based at one of the nearby caravan parks - Ullswater Holiday Park is barely two miles away, or Beckses if you prefer something quieter - this makes an excellent morning outing. Pair it with a waterside walk around Ullswater itself and you've got a proper day out without needing to travel far.