Rain Hill

The walk up Rain Hill from Appleby-in-Westmorland takes about ninety minutes if you're not dawdling, and the views from the top justify every huffing step. You're looking down the Eden Valley toward the Pennines, with Appleby itself mapped out below like something from a topographic chart. On a clear day you can see for miles - proper expansive stuff that makes you understand why this corner of Cumbria gets under people's skin.

It's a straightforward fell walk rather than a technical scramble, which means families with older kids will manage it fine, though younger ones might find the gradient tedious. Walkers after a proper outing should allow three to four hours with a lunch stop at the top. The peak itself isn't dramatic - no dramatic rock formations or sudden reveals - but the accessibility and the uncluttered views make it worth the effort.

If you're staying at Wild Rose Holiday Park or Gillcumber Glamping Pods, Rain Hill makes an excellent morning or afternoon excursion without eating into a full day's plans. Neither spot requires special equipment; decent boots and weather-appropriate kit are all you need. Summer and early autumn are best - the exposed ridge can get properly windy in winter, and cloud cover kills the view dead.

The real draw here isn't Instagram moments or geological drama. It's the chance to stretch your legs without committing to something vast like Cross Fell, and to see the landscape properly instead of just driving through it.