Bewick Hill

The walk up Bewick Hill rewards you with one of those sweeping Northumberland views that makes the climb worthwhile. It's not a dramatic peak - nothing like the higher fells further west - but from the top you get proper sight lines across the rolling countryside towards the Cheviot range. The ascent is steady rather than brutal, taking most people somewhere between 45 minutes and an hour depending on fitness and how often you stop for breath.

Walkers will get the most from this one. It's the sort of hill that older kids can manage without too much moaning, though very small children might find the push tedious. The paths are reasonable underfoot most of the time, though muddy patches appear after rain. There's a real sense of isolation up here despite being only a few miles from Alnwick - you'll likely have the summit to yourself on a weekday.

Time it for late afternoon if you want decent light for photographs. The whole outing takes roughly two hours including a rest at the top. Being this close to River Breamish Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite (just 3.4 miles away) makes it an ideal half-day excursion if you're based there. Middlemoor Farm Holidays sits at 5.3 miles and would work equally well as a base. Both parks put you within reach of some solid walking country without feeling too remote from Alnwick's amenities.

Free to visit, naturally - it's open fell. Don't expect facilities at the summit, so bring water.