Ruskin's View

The view from this spot near Carnforth is genuinely extraordinary - so good that the Victorian art critic John Ruskin reckoned it one of the finest in England. You can see why once you're up there. The sweep across the Morecambe Bay landscape, with the Pennines rising in the distance and the fells rolling down towards the coast, stops you dead. It's the kind of vista that makes you understand why the Romantics lost their minds over this part of the country.

Walkers will get the most from this one. There's no car park right at the viewpoint itself, so you'll need to put in some leg work to reach it - but that's rather the point. The walk up is steep enough to catch your breath but not punishing. Allow a good hour if you're making an afternoon of it, especially if the weather's kind and you want to sit about for a bit. The view doesn't change with the seasons, but autumn light hitting those fells is absolutely proper.

Free to visit, naturally - it's just a view. No facilities up there, so bring a flask if you want one. This works brilliantly as a half-day outing from any of the nearby parks. Once Upon a Fell, Primrose Glamping Pods, and Little Acre are all within easy striking distance, and the walk will tire out restless kids without feeling like a proper hike. On a clear day it genuinely justifies Ruskin's hype.