White Combe

White Combe sits at 696 metres and offers a proper fell walk from the Millom end of the Lake District's western fringe. This isn't a destination that'll stop you in your tracks with drama - it's more of a solid day out if you're exploring the quieter fells around Dunnerdale or heading down towards the coast.

The approach from Millom side is straightforward fell walking through open moorland. On a clear day you get views towards Scafell and across to Coniston, though the summit itself is a bit anticlimax - just a cairn on reasonably featureless terrain. Allow three to four hours for a round trip depending on fitness and how long you loiter at the top.

Walkers and fell runners get the most from this one. Families with young legs will find it manageable without being spectacular, and the moorland habitat means you might spot grouse and mountain hares if you're lucky. It's not a trudge up a tourist path, which is precisely why some people love it.

If you're based at Harbour Lights Campsite near Millom, White Combe works nicely as a half-day outing before heading to the coast or pushing further into the fells proper. Go early if the weather looks dodgy - exposure up here can turn unpleasant quickly. Free to walk, naturally. The moorland strips you of excuses and illusions, which is either refreshing or tedious depending on your outlook.