Great Coum

Great Coum rises sharply from the landscape near Carnforth, a proper fell that doesn't mess about. It's 687 metres of moorland and loose stone, the sort of walk where you feel genuinely outdoors rather than ticking off a tourist box.

The climb takes most people two to three hours, depending on fitness and how often you stop to catch your breath. The path starts benign enough but gets steep and scrambling towards the summit. The views are genuinely worth the effort - clear days give you sight lines across the Lune Gorge and into the Lake District fells beyond. On murky mornings you're mostly looking at cloud, which is fair enough.

Walkers and hill enthusiasts will get far more from this than casual strollers. It's not a gentle park ramble. Children capable of proper fell walking (so, probably secondary school age and up) will manage it fine, though younger legs might find the descent tougher than expected.

It's completely free, naturally - no car park fees, no barriers. The nearest base is Philpin Farm Campsite, four miles away, which is useful if you're combining this with other Lancashire and Yorkshire walks. The campsite has decent reviews, so that's worth considering if you're planning a week in the area.

Go early if you can. Midday brings crowds to the honeypot peaks elsewhere, but Great Coum stays relatively quiet. Waterproofs aren't optional - moorland weather changes fast.