Catton Beacon

The walk up Catton Beacon rewards you with views across the Tyne Valley that stretch for miles when the weather plays ball. It's a proper fell top, the sort of place where you can see why the Romans wanted to keep watch from here - though nothing remains of any fort these days, just the view itself.

This isn't a manicured summit. It's moorland, wind-exposed, and you'll earn the vista by getting yourself up there. From Hexham, it's an easy enough drive to the trailhead, and the climb itself takes about an hour if you're moderately fit. The beacon itself - a stone cairn - marks the high point clearly enough. On a clear day you're looking out towards the Pennines; on a grey one, it's moody and atmospheric in equal measure.

Walkers will get the most from this. It's not a destination for the family wanting amusement and facilities - there's none of that. But if you've got kids who can manage a fell walk and don't need constant entertainment, they'll find the exposure and the sense of proper altitude rather exciting. Allow two to three hours return from the car.

Stay at either Langley Dam Glamping or Panoramic Pods, both within spitting distance, and you've got a solid base for exploring this part of Northumberland. The beacon works well as part of a longer walking itinerary rather than a stand-alone trip, though the views alone make the effort worthwhile.