Hognaston Winn

Standing at 339 metres above sea level, this modest peak in the Derbyshire countryside offers surprisingly good views across the Dove Valley towards Ashbourne. The walk up isn't particularly taxing - about twenty minutes from the village of Hognaston itself - but the reward at the top is well worth the effort on a clear day.

Walkers will appreciate the relatively gentle ascent and the chance to stretch their legs without committing to a full day hike. Families with older children should manage it easily enough, though toddlers might find the grassy slopes a bit much. The summit itself is unmarked, so you'll need to trust your map reading skills.

Best visited on a crisp winter morning when visibility is at its peak. Summer can be lovely too, but haze often spoils the longer views towards the Peak District proper. There's no fee to climb, naturally, and you can park in Hognaston village before setting off.

For those staying at one of the holiday parks around Carsington Water, it makes a decent morning excursion before heading to the reservoir for lunch. Ashbourne Heights Holiday Park is particularly well placed as a base, being just over three miles away. Not exactly a major peak, but it'll give you a proper taste of Derbyshire's rolling countryside without breaking into a sweat.