Hagg Hill

The walk up Hagg Hill from Penrith doesn't take long, but it rewards you with a proper viewpoint across the Eden Valley. It's not one of the Lake District's famous peaks - you won't find crowds here - just a straightforward climb that works brilliantly if you're staying at Ullswater Holiday Park or any of the caravan sites dotted nearby.

What you get is a 360-degree sweep of Cumbria from the top. On a clear day, the fell scenery rolls away in every direction, and Penrith itself sits small in the distance below. The path is well-trodden but never feels busy. Most walkers knock this out in an hour or so, making it ideal if you've got restless kids but can't face a full day expedition up Helvellyn or Catbells.

Histor buffs might appreciate the views over older settlements and valleys below - though this isn't a heritage walk with plaques and information boards. It's purely about the landscape and the leg work. Families will manage it fine; it's steep enough to feel like a proper achievement but not a slog. The real value is its proximity to the holiday parks clustered around Ullswater and Park Foot - ten minutes' drive and you're on the path.

Free to access, naturally. Timing-wise, go early if summer weather's forecast; the fell can cloud over by afternoon. Worth fitting in alongside swimming or water sports at Ullswater itself, rather than treating it as a destination in its own right.