Bloody Bush

The name alone stops you in your tracks. Bloody Bush sits on the moorland west of Hexham, a stark reminder that this corner of Northumberland wasn't always a quiet rural idyll. It marks the spot where Scottish raiders were defeated in a skirmish centuries back - the kind of border violence that defined this region for generations. Today it's just a modest stone marker on open fell, but that's partly what makes it worth seeking out. There's no visitor centre, no gift shop, no fencing. Just you, the wind, and the weight of history.

It's a destination for walkers and history enthusiasts rather than families after a day out, to be honest. The landscape is beautiful in a bleak sort of way - moorland stretching to the horizon - but the site itself is small. Allow an hour if you're making a dedicated visit, longer if you're combining it with a ramble across Kielder fell. The nearest towns for supplies are Hexham to the east and Bellingham further north, both proper market towns worth exploring separately.

If you're based at Kielder Campsite or Landal Kielder Waterside, Bloody Bush makes for a decent half-day outing that breaks up the usual water-based attractions. It's not far - under four miles from the campsite - and it connects you to the area's wilder history rather than just its modern outdoor offerings. Go on a clear day if you can. The mist here can be absolute.