Little Mell Fell

Little Mell Fell rises abruptly from the A592 near Penrith, and at 2,536 feet it's one of those peaks that looks far more imposing than its height suggests. The fell itself is a proper cone-shaped summit with a distinct silhouette from the valley floor - you'll spot it immediately from Ullswater Holiday Park if you're staying there.

The ascent takes roughly 45 minutes to an hour from the roadside car park, and it's steep in places but rarely technical. What makes it worth the effort is the 360-degree view once you're up there. Ullswater spreads out below like a slate-grey mirror, and on clear days you can see across to High Street and the eastern fells. The fell itself is grassy and exposed - bring a windproof even when it's calm in the valley.

For families with older kids or regular walkers, it's ideal. Younger children might find the climb tougher than expected because of the gradient, not the distance. It's not a scramble, just relentlessly uphill. Allow two hours total if you're taking photographs or just sitting around at the top with a flask.

What makes Little Mell Fell work brilliantly is its position relative to the holiday parks clustered round Ullswater - Beckses, Waterfoot, and Park Foot are all within three miles. You could easily do this as a morning walk before settling into whatever the afternoon throws at you. It's free, naturally, and you park on the roadside near the fell. Avoid driving out there immediately after heavy rain; the access can get boggy.