The Howe

You climb up from Maryport and suddenly the whole northern coastline opens out below you. The Howe is a modest fell rather than anything dramatic - about 1,000 feet - but the reward for the walk is properly generous. On a clear day, the Solway Firth stretches out like a pale sheet, and you can pick out the Scottish coast beyond. The summit itself is a bit windswept and bare, but that's rather the point.

It's not a destination that'll consume your afternoon. Most people spend an hour getting up, twenty minutes taking it in, and the same coming down. Walkers get the most from it - the path is straightforward enough for anyone reasonably fit, though the last push does feel it. Families with kids who'll tolerate a steep bit will manage fine, though there's nothing at the top to hold younger attention for long.

The real value is how it slots into a wider exploration of the Cumbrian coast. If you're based at Greysouthen or Harbour Side, both excellent spots for caravanning, The Howe gives you a genuine sense of the landscape without eating up a full day. Go when the weather's decent - which in this part of the world means crossing your fingers - and you'll see why people bothered walking it at all. Free, naturally. No facilities at the top, so bring water.