Windy Hill

The walk up Windy Hill from Skipton rewards you with proper moorland views across the Pennines - nothing fancy, just genuine high ground with sight lines that stretch for miles on a clear day. It's a straightforward climb that takes most people around 90 minutes to the summit, though you can make an afternoon of it if you potter about. The hill itself is bare and exposed, which is rather the point - you get why it earned its name when the weather turns.

This is walker territory, pure and simple. Families with older kids will manage fine; anything under eight might find the final push tedious. What you won't find is facilities or crowds. No café at the top, no interpretive boards, just moorland and horizon. The actual summit sits at around 600 metres, which puts you above most of the surrounding Dales landscape.

The real draw is how accessible it makes a proper fell walk feel. You're near Skipton, which means you're well-placed for a broader Dales holiday - several glamping spots cluster within five miles, including Malham Glamping Pods and Hedgerow Luxury Glamping if you want to base yourself that way. Thornton Hall Country Park and Coxons Farm are equally handy for a longer stay.

Go in autumn or spring when the moorland holds its colour and the air's usually clearer. Summer crowds aren't a problem here - they're all at Malham Cove. That's both the point and the appeal of Windy Hill. It's a proper walk, free, and worth the effort if you like views without the visitors.