Ponden Kirk

The walk up to Ponden Kirk takes you through proper moorland - the sort of landscape that makes you understand why the Brontes ended up writing the way they did. It's a rocky outcrop rather than a dramatic summit, perched above the hamlet of Stanbury near Glamping, with views that sweep across the Pennine moorland towards Pendle Hill in the distance.

You'll scramble over rough stone and heather to reach the top, maybe twenty minutes from the car park depending on your pace and how lost you get on the approach. The rock formation itself is genuinely striking - weathered gritstone that's been carved by centuries of wind and rain - and on a clear day the moorland views are excellent. Walkers absolutely get the most from this one. It's not a casual stroll for families with young children, but if you've got kids aged eight-plus and they're up for a proper hike, they'll find the scramble fun rather than punishing.

There's no entrance fee or visitor facilities to speak of - you'll find a basic car park near the farm buildings and that's your lot. Allow an hour there and back, maybe a bit longer if you want to potter about taking photos or sit on the rocks with a drink. It's free, it's open whenever, and it rewards the effort.

If you're camping at Shay Gate Farm Campsite or Upwood Holiday Park nearby, this works brilliantly as a half-day excursion. The moorland walking around here is genuinely good, and Ponden Kirk sits nicely within a wider network of footpaths across Bronte Country.