Hallin Fell

The walk up Hallin Fell is more of a brisk ramble than a proper climb, which makes it ideal if you're based at one of the caravan parks near Penrith and fancy something that won't wipe out the kids by lunchtime. The fell rises 1,266 feet from the eastern shore of Ullswater, and the ascent takes about 45 minutes at a steady pace.

What you get at the top is genuinely worth the effort. The views across Ullswater are excellent - you're looking straight down the length of the lake with the higher fells beyond, and on a clear day you can pick out the Helvellyn range. The path itself is straightforward, mostly grassy, and well-trodden enough that you won't get lost.

This works best for families with reasonably confident walkers aged eight or upwards, or for anyone who wants a Lake District fell experience without committing to a full day's hiking. It's free, naturally - it's a fell - and you can park near Glenridding village, which sits right at the foot of the mountain.

If you're staying at Ullswater Holiday Park or Park Foot, you're barely ten minutes' drive from the start. The walk pairs well with a stroll around the lake afterwards, or you could combine it with a trip up Ullswater on the steamer. Don't expect solitude on a fine weekend - it's popular enough that the path gets boggy in places - but that's because it genuinely delivers on the promise.