Banward Hill

The walk up Banward Hill rewards you with proper views across the Harrogate countryside - the sort of vantage point that makes you understand why people settle in Yorkshire and never leave. It's not a dramatic peak; there's no scrambling or alpine theatre here. What you get instead is a steady climb through moorland that opens out to panoramic countryside rolling away in all directions.

This is walker territory, plain and simple. Families with younger children might find the ascent a bit of a slog, and it's not the sort of place to linger for hours. But if you're fit and keen on landscape, allow a couple of hours for the round trip and you'll see why locals keep coming back. The path is well-trodden and straightforward enough.

Stay at Breaks Fold Farm Glamping or Catgill Farm - both within a few miles - and you can tackle Banward as part of a broader walking week in the area. It pairs naturally with the Bolton Abbey Estate walks nearby, giving you proper variety without the drive between sites. Go early on a clear day if you can; the visibility makes all the difference, and you'll avoid the weekend crowds on the popular routes.