Vicarage Bank

The walk up Vicarage Bank from Appleby-in-Westmorland is a proper leg-stretcher with real purpose - it's steep enough to feel like you've earned the view, but short enough that you won't regret it halfway up. The peak itself gives you the kind of perspective on the Eden Valley you simply can't get from the town below. On a clear day, the Pennines roll away to the east while the Lake District peaks appear just beyond, and you can actually see how tucked into the landscape Appleby really sits.

This isn't a dramatic summit or a dramatic climb - it's a working hillside where the effort-to-reward ratio tips decidedly in your favour. Most people manage the ascent in under thirty minutes, which makes it ideal if you're staying at one of the nearby parks like Wild Rose or Gillcumber and want a morning out before lunch. There's genuine solitude up here too, especially midweek. The locals walk it regularly and don't make a fuss about it, which rather sums up its appeal.

Bring decent boots if you've had rain - it can get boggy in patches - and time your visit for afternoon light if you're keen on photographs. History enthusiasts will appreciate the views over Appleby's medieval layout from above, while serious hikers can use it as a springboard for longer valley walks. It's not a destination in itself, but rather a proper addition to any Westmorland weekend that rewards you for bothering to climb.