Cocker Hill

The walk up Cocker Hill rewards you with proper panoramic views across Teesdale and beyond - the kind of vista that makes the leg-burning climb worthwhile. It's not a particularly dramatic peak by Lake District standards, but the moorland setting and the sense of being genuinely out there in the Pennines gives it real character.

From the summit you're looking out across rolling fells and the distinctive landscape of County Durham's upland country. On a clear day the views stretch far enough to make you forget you're only a few miles from Barnard Castle. The walk itself takes somewhere between an hour and ninety minutes depending on your fitness, and the terrain is rough moorland rather than manicured path - which is exactly what makes it feel authentic rather than tourist-trap-ish.

This is walkers' terrain. Families with young children might find it a slog, and it's not the sort of place you'd pop up to for twenty minutes. You need decent boots and need to know what you're doing with weather and navigation - it's exposed up there. That said, if you're staying at one of the nearby campsites - The Old Armoury Campsite gets consistently top marks - it makes for a cracking half-day outing.

Teesdale Barnard Castle Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite sits just six miles away, and both give you the perfect base for exploring this corner of the Pennines. Cocker Hill itself won't keep you occupied all day, but combined with a wander round Barnard Castle town itself and other local walks, it slots neatly into a proper outdoor break.