High Billinge

Standing at 229 metres, this modest summit offers proper views across the Cheshire Plain without the crowds you'll find at more famous peaks. The walk to the top is gentle enough for most families, though the final stretch gets a bit steep through the heather and gorse.

From the summit, you can spot the cooling towers of various power stations dotting the landscape, plus glimpses of the Pennines on clear days. It's not dramatic - this is Cheshire, after all - but there's something satisfying about reaching the highest point in the area. The views stretch well beyond Northwich towards Manchester on one side and the Welsh hills on the other.

Walkers will appreciate the network of footpaths leading up from various directions, though the paths can get muddy after rain. Families with younger children should allow about two hours return, including time to admire the view and have a picnic at the top. There's no facilities up here, so bring everything you need.

It makes a decent half-day trip if you're staying at one of the nearby parks around Delamere Forest. Wild Shore Delamere and the Delamere Forest Camping sites are both within easy reach, making this a proper countryside escape from your holiday base.