Woodhouse Hill

Your legs will definitely feel this one. Woodhouse Hill rises to a proper summit just outside Frodsham, demanding a decent uphill slog but rewarding climbers with sweeping views across the Cheshire Plain. The ascent from the town takes about 45 minutes if you're reasonably fit - longer if you're huffing and puffing like I was halfway up.

Once at the top, the panorama stretches from the Welsh hills to Manchester on clear days. It's particularly spectacular at sunset when the light catches the industrial landscape of Runcorn and the Mersey estuary beyond. Families with older children will manage fine, though toddlers might struggle with the steeper sections.

Walkers and anyone wanting a proper workout will get the most from this climb. The path can get muddy after rain, so decent boots are essential. Allow two hours for the round trip, including time to catch your breath at the summit.

Staying at The Ridgeway Country Holiday Park puts you right on the doorstep - it's barely ten minutes' drive to the trailhead. Delamere Forest sites are also well placed for combining this with woodland walks, making it easy to tick off both hill and forest scenery in a weekend. The climb's free, naturally, and accessible year-round though winter can be properly slippery.