Thornthwaite Crag

The walk up Thornthwaite Crag rewards you with one of those Lake District views that stops you in your tracks. It's not the highest fell around Penrith, but the ridge at 1,864 metres feels genuinely exposed and proper wild once you're up there. The summit cairn sits on a knife-edge of stone with Ullswater sprawling below to one side and High Street's bulk looming across the valley. Most people tackle it from the Patterdale side or loop round from Hartsop - allow a solid three to four hours depending on your fitness and how long you want to linger on top.

This one's for walkers who want a real day out, not a stroll. It's steep in places and the weather can turn fast, so check conditions before you head up. On a decent day though, the rock formations on the final push are genuinely exciting, especially if you've only done gentler fells before. Families with older kids who can handle scrambling will find it thrilling; younger ones might find it a bit much.

If you're based at one of the nearby parks - Lakeside Retreat Glamping is worth the four-mile distance for its solid rating - Thornthwaite makes an excellent full-day adventure. Couple it with a morning at Ullswater itself or an afternoon in Penrith town, and you've got a proper Lake District day sorted. The fell's accessible year-round but summer and early autumn give you the best light and the longest window before dark. No fees, no facilities on the fell itself, so bring water and snacks.