Ransa Hill

The walk up Ransa Hill rewards you with proper Pennine views - on a clear day you can see right across the valley towards Skipton. It's not particularly high or dramatic, but that's rather the point: this is a straightforward fell walk that won't knacker you out before lunch.

The summit itself is modest, no dramatic cairn or shelter, just moorland that drops away on all sides. You'll pass through rough pasture and heather on the way up, and the path is reasonably well-trodden if not always obvious. Allow a couple of hours return from the nearest parking, depending on your fitness and how often you stop to admire the view.

History buffs won't find much here - it's not one of those peaks laden with Bronze Age remains or medieval fortifications. This is a walk for people who enjoy moving through landscape rather than collecting facts. Families with older kids will manage it fine; younger ones might find it a bit long for the payoff. Walkers based at Thornton Hall Country Park or Deerstone Glamping, both within easy striking distance, could easily squeeze this in as part of a longer day out exploring the Ribble Valley.

Go when the weather's decent - the views vanish entirely in cloud, and the moorland can turn boggy after rain. Free admission, obviously. There's no café at the top, so bring a flask and a sandwich if you're planning to linger.