Noon Sun Hill

The walk up Noon Sun Hill from Greenfield takes you through proper moorland, the kind where you genuinely can't see where you're going until you're nearly there. It's a modest height - not going to knacker you - but the views across the Pennines justify the leg work, especially on a clear day. From the summit, you get Lancashire spread below you and the moorland rolling on endlessly in every direction.

It's the sort of walk that appeals to families who want something short enough for a Sunday morning but challenging enough not to feel like a waste of trainers. The path is straightforward enough, though bog patches after rain catch people out. Allow a solid hour for the climb, maybe ninety minutes if you're taking it easy or stopping to look at the view every five minutes.

The nearest village is Greenfield, which sits at the foot of the moors and has a proper working-class charm about it. If you're staying at Dovestone Holiday Park just up the road, this makes an excellent morning excursion before settling into park life. The contrast between manicured holiday park comfort and wild moorland is honestly part of the appeal - you get both in one morning.

Go when the weather's decent; bad visibility up here means you're just wandering in cloud, which gets old fast. Spring and autumn offer the best conditions. Free to access, naturally - it's common land. Worth the detour if you're based in the area, less so if you're just passing through Lancashire.