Wibben Hill

Standing at just over 300 metres, this modest Derbyshire peak won't set your heart racing like Kinder Scout, but it delivers proper views across the Dove Valley without the crowds. The walk up from Ashbourne takes about 45 minutes through rolling farmland, following well-marked footpaths that can get muddy after rain. Worth packing decent boots.

Families with older children will find the climb manageable, though toddlers might struggle with the steeper sections near the summit. The reward is a sweeping panorama that takes in the White Peak limestone plateau and, on clear days, stretches towards the Pennines. It's the sort of hill that makes you appreciate why the Peak District earned its national park status.

Best tackled in the morning when the light hits the valley floor just right. The summit itself is marked by a modest cairn and offers space for a proper picnic if the weather's behaving. Allow two hours for the round trip from Ashbourne, longer if you're stopping to admire the dry stone walls and traditional field patterns.

Staying at one of the holiday parks near Ashbourne makes Wibben Hill an easy day walk. Ashbourne Heights and Sandybrook Lodges are both within striking distance, making this peak a gentle introduction to Peak District walking for families based in the area.