Whin Hill

The walk up Whin Hill is a proper no-nonsense climb, and that's exactly why it works. Rising above Clitheroe, this modest Lancashire peak delivers views across the Ribble Valley that justify the huffing and puffing - on a clear day you can pick out the moorland stretching toward Pendle Hill and the sweep of countryside toward the Forest of Bowland.

It's not a technical scramble. Most visitors tackle it as a straightforward fell walk, taking the well-trodden path from the lower slopes up to the summit trig point. Allow a solid hour to get up and back down, maybe ninety minutes if you want to sit at the top with a flask and actually enjoy what you've earned. The terrain is grassy and open, which means it can be boggy after rain - proper boots rather than trainers make all the difference.

Walkers will get the most from this one. It's too short for a full day's expedition, but brilliant as a morning sortie if you're based at one of the nearby holiday parks like Holgates Ribble Valley or Parkdean Resorts Todber Valley. Families with confident young hikers should manage it fine; toddlers will struggle with the steepness.

Access is straightforward and free - park near Clitheroe and follow the footpaths heading uphill. No visitor centre or facilities on the peak itself, so bring water. The real appeal isn't the summit building or any particular attraction - it's that genuine Pennine vibe and the fact you've graft earned your view.