Helm Crag
Grasmere Cumbria LA22
Got kids and a spare hour or two? Get them up Helm Crag (1329 ft) for their first Lake District adventure, following the ever-more-dramatic rock path from Grasmere to a summit that's just made for clambering about and shouting into the wind. It's been a favourite climb since Wordsworth's day – the distinctive summit rocks, seen from way down in the valley, are known as the 'Lion and the Lamb', and there are fabulous views in all directions. Follow the narrow road out of Grasmere to Easedale and Helm Crag is signposted pretty much all the way. It's a bit of a scramble right at the top but nothing too daunting for reasonably gung-ho kids – count on two hours there and back, though once you're up you can continue on a much longer day out along the ridges and back again down Easedale if you wish.
