Thornber

Thornber sits just outside Skipton and makes for a straightforward upland walk if you're after some elevation and views across the Dales. It's not a dramatic summit - there's no cairn, no shelter, nothing much to mark the actual top - but that's rather the point. You're after the walk itself, not an Instagram moment.

The approach from the Skipton side is gentle enough, taking you through proper Pennine moorland with heather and bracken depending on the season. On a clear day the views open up across to Pendle Hill and towards the higher fells beyond. On a grey one, you'll mostly see tussocks and cloud. Give it ninety minutes return from the car park if you're not rushing.

Family groups with older kids will find this perfectly manageable - nothing steep or technical, just a steady trudge uphill. Younger children might find it dull without snacks and promised views, so pick your weather. Serious fell walkers won't get much from it, but ramblers after a gentle afternoon out will do fine here.

If you're camping at Draughton Heights or Catgill Farm nearby, Thornber slots in nicely as a half-day outing before heading to Bolton Abbey Estate for something with more structure. The whole thing is free - it's common access land - so there's no cost to trying it. Just turn up early on weekends when Skipton gets busy, and wear proper boots because the ground stays boggy even after rain dries elsewhere.