LIttle Simon's Seat

Little Simon's Seat rises about 1,500 feet above Skipton, commanding views across the Wharfe Valley that'll stop you mid-stride. It's a modest peak by Lake District standards, but Yorkshire folk don't do showy - and that's rather the point.

The walk itself is straightforward enough. Most people approach from the Skipton side, tackling perhaps forty minutes of steady climbing through mixed woodland before the landscape opens up. There's a proper sense of achievement when you hit the summit, partly because the effort is genuine but mainly because the panorama catches you off guard. On clear days you're looking south towards Pendle Hill and west towards higher ground; on grey ones the mist rolls in and it becomes atmospheric rather than scenic.

This suits walkers who want a proper route without serious technical challenge. Families with older kids will manage it easily, though younger ones might need carrying the last bit. Don't expect a café or visitor facilities - bring water and decent boots. Allow two hours there and back from the main trailhead.

The real value is in its place within a broader walk. Pair it with the valley floor trails around Appletreewick or use it as a warm-up for tackling Simon's Seat itself, the higher companion peak nearby. If you're based at Breaks Fold Farm Glamping just outside Skipton, you've got this on your doorstep - genuinely worth an afternoon when the light's good.