Green Side

The walk up Green Side from Glenridding is straightforward enough, following a well-trodden path that gains height steadily without being a slog. You're climbing 600 metres or so to reach the 802-metre summit, and the whole thing takes around two hours from the village if you're not dawdling. The top delivers proper views across the Lake District - you can see across to Helvellyn on the other side of the valley, and on a clear day the panorama stretches far enough to make the effort worthwhile. It's not the most dramatic peak you'll tackle in the region, but it's accessible enough for families with decent fitness, and the paths are reliable underfoot.

Walkers will appreciate that Green Side slots neatly into a longer day if you've got the legs for it - many people tag it onto a circuit that takes in surrounding fells. The real selling point is how close it sits to Penrith and Glenridding itself, making it ideal if you're basing yourself at one of the nearby holiday parks. Ewe Love Camping Pods and Troutbeck Head are both within easy reach, so you can start early from your bed and be descending by late morning. Go when the weather's settled - the exposed sections catch wind properly, and cloud can roll in quickly. Allow a full half-day if you're bringing kids, and don't expect solitude at weekends. There's nothing fancy about Green Side, but that's exactly why it works. A no-nonsense Lake District fell that earns its place in your itinerary.