High Brown Knoll

The walk up High Brown Knoll rewards you with views across the South Pennines that justify the huffing and puffing. It's a proper moorland peak just outside Hebden Bridge, the kind of place where you'll spot grouse busting out of the heather and walkers of all levels testing their legs on the exposed slopes.

This isn't a technical climb - it's more about stamina than scrambling. The summit sits at just over 500 metres, so it's not Alpine territory, but the wind can be mean up there and the moorland stretches unbroken to the horizon. The approach from Hebden Bridge takes a good couple of hours each way depending on your fitness, so allow half a day minimum. Bring proper boots; the ground gets boggy in patches.

Walkers will get the most from this. Family groups with younger children might find the slog tedious unless your kids are already into hill walking - there's no drama at the top, just expansive views and wild country. History buffs won't find much to gnaw on; it's about the landscape itself, the windswept bleakness of Calderdale's high ground.

The nearest campsite is Old Chamber Camping at just 2.7 miles from town, and Hebden Bridge Caravan Club is barely further. You could base yourself at either and tackle Knoll as a day's walking, then explore the town's proper independent shops and cafes in the evening. Go when the heather's blooming in late summer - August is cracking - and avoid the peak tourist season if crowds bother you.