Stransdale Nab

The walk up Stransdale Nab rewards you with proper views across Lancashire's rolling moorland - the sort of landscape that reminds you why people bother with hiking boots and muddy trousers. It's not a massive peak, but that works in its favour. You can knock it out as a half-day outing from Preston without needing to plan a full expedition.

The summit itself gives you commanding sight lines across the surrounding hills and valleys. On a clear day it's genuinely impressive; on a grey one, you'll at least have worked up an appetite for lunch. The approach is straightforward fell walking - nothing technical, though the final push gets a bit steep for the last stretch.

This is solid territory for walkers who want to earn a view without spending all afternoon on the hillside. Families with older kids will manage fine; younger ones might find the ascent tedious. History buffs won't find much up there except the landscape itself, which is reason enough.

Both Brickhouse Caravan Park and Claylands are close by - well within striking distance for a morning walk before breakfast or an afternoon ramble after lunch. Neither is far from Preston either, so you've got decent options for base camp. Allow a couple of hours there and back, depending on fitness and how long you want to linger at the top with a flask of tea.