Steel Knotts

Steel Knotts is a fell walk that rewards you with proper views across Ullswater without requiring a mountaineer's experience. The peak itself sits at around 432 metres, making it accessible to most walkers with a reasonable level of fitness, though it's steep enough in places to keep things interesting.

The walk takes you up from the Patterdale valley, and what makes Steel Knotts worth your time is the vantage point it gives you over Ullswater - that long, thin lake stretches below you like something from a postcard. On a clear day you can see across to the fells beyond Glenridding. The route isn't overly technical, but the terrain is rough underfoot in patches, so proper walking boots matter.

Allow roughly two to three hours for the round trip from Patterdale, depending on fitness and how long you linger at the top. It's the sort of walk that suits families with older kids and experienced walkers who fancy a leg-stretcher without committing to a full-day mountain expedition. Spring and early autumn are your best bets - summer weekends can get busy with other walkers, and winter requires more caution on the upper sections.

If you're based at any of the caravan parks near Penrith - Ullswater Holiday Park is closest at three miles - Steel Knotts works brilliantly as a morning walk. It fits perfectly into a wider Lake District holiday without dominating your whole day. Bring a packed lunch and you've got a cracking spot to sit and eat overlooking the water.