Watch Hill (Setmurthy Common)

The walk up to Watch Hill rewards you with proper Lake District views without the crowds you'd fight through at Catbells or Skiddaw. It's a straightforward climb from Setmurthy Common, just outside Cockermouth, and takes about an hour to the summit if you're moving at a reasonable pace. The fell itself isn't dramatic - more of a solid green hump than a jagged peak - but the panorama opens up nicely once you're up there. You get Bassenthwaite Lake spread out below, Skiddaw looming to the east, and on a clear day the whole northern fells roll away in front of you. The path's well-trodden and manageable for families with older kids, though it's steep enough in places that you'll know you've earned your view. There's nothing at the summit except a cairn and the wind, which is exactly the point. You're looking at a half-day trip from any of the caravan parks nearby - Castle Guards Farm Retreat and Skiddaw View are both within reach - and it pairs well with exploring Cockermouth itself. The town's got some decent cafes for a post-walk brew. Go on a weekday if you can, when the fell feels genuinely quiet. Winter's trickier underfoot, but spring through autumn it's solid going. Free to access, obviously. Not Instagram-famous, which makes it all the better.