Wetherlam

The walk up Wetherlam rewards you with proper Lake District views - you're looking down into the Langdale Valley with its patchwork of fields and that distinctive horseshoe of fells boxing you in. It's a 2,502-foot peak near Ambleside that doesn't get as rammed as some of the bigger names, which is exactly why it's worth doing.

The route from Great Langdale is straightforward enough, climbing steeply at first through old slate quarries before opening onto moorland. The industrial heritage is fascinating if you're into that sort of thing - abandoned workings and spoil heaps scattered about, remnants of the 19th-century slate business. Count on three to four hours for the round trip depending on fitness and how long you linger on top.

Walkers will absolutely get it. Families with young legs can manage it, though it's not a gentle stroll - there's real elevation gain and the terrain gets rough. History buffs will dig the quarry archaeology. On a clear day the vista stretches toward the central fells; on a misty day, which is often, the atmosphere becomes something else entirely - moody, absorbing, a bit lonely.

Stay at Great Langdale Campsite just 2.9 miles away and you're perfectly positioned. It's the natural base if you're tackling this fell. The weather changes fast up there, so proper kit matters - wind can bite hard even in summer. Go early to avoid afternoon clouds rolling in and spoiling the views.