Simon's Seat

The walk up Simon's Seat rewards you with proper views across Wharfedale - you're looking down at Skipton and across to the Pennines on a clear day. It's not a massive hike, more of a determined afternoon ramble from Bolton Abbey, which sits just down the valley. The summit itself is modest - a rocky outcrop that feels higher than it probably is because you've earned it.

Walkers get the most from this one. It's not technical enough for climbers and too much leg work for families with very young kids, but anyone with decent fitness and sturdy shoes will manage the return trip in a couple of hours. The paths are well-trodden and the Wharfe valley below is genuinely lovely, especially in autumn when the bracken turns copper.

Free to climb, obviously - it's a Pennine peak with no fees or gates. You'll want to start early on weekends because the Bolton Abbey car parks fill up fast, and the walk starts from there. Early morning light on the moorland above Skipton is worth the alarm clock.

If you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Howgill Lodge is practically on the doorstep, Bolton Abbey Estate is just 2.4 miles away - Simon's Seat fits perfectly into a long weekend. Combine it with a proper walk along the Wharfe itself or a pint at Bolton Abbey's tea rooms afterwards. Don't make a special journey for it alone, but as part of exploring this corner of Yorkshire, it's a solid few hours well spent.