Grin Low

The walk up Grin Low from Buxton takes about twenty minutes, and it's properly steep in places - don't let anyone tell you otherwise. What you get at the top is a genuine payoff: clear views across the Peak District that stretch for miles on a decent day, with Buxton laid out below like a map. There's a tower up there too, built back in the Victorian era, which gives the whole thing a bit of drama.

It's the kind of walk that works best for people who actually enjoy walking, not just the Instagram moment. Children will manage it fine if they're reasonably active, but toddlers will grind to a halt about halfway. The real appeal is for anyone wanting to get a proper sense of the landscape without committing to a full day's hiking.

Free to access, as these things tend to be. Allow an hour total if you're taking your time and stopping for photos. Go on a clear morning - the afternoon light can get washed out, and in bad weather it's just grey slopes and sheep.

Grin Low works brilliantly as a half-day objective if you're based at one of the caravan parks nearby, particularly the Buxton Caravan and Motorhome Club site just down the road. Pop up for the walk, then head back into town for lunch. It's close enough to pair with other Peak District attractions without feeling like you're constantly loading up the car.