Cow Hill

The walk up Cow Hill from Alnwick won't take you long, but that's rather the point. This modest Northumberland peak sits just outside town and offers proper views across the surrounding countryside without demanding your entire afternoon. The name itself suggests rural charm - and you do get that, though it's more honest farmland than chocolate-box scenery.

It's a straightforward walk, gaining height steadily but never painfully, and the summit cairn marks a decent vantage point over the Aln valley. On a clear day you can see south toward the Cheviots. The path is well-trodden and accessible to anyone with half-decent fitness, making it ideal for families who want their kids to feel they've actually climbed something without the slog of a serious mountain.

About forty minutes up, same coming down. Not a destination on its own, but absolutely worth combining with a wander around Alnwick itself - the town's got the castle and gardens to keep you occupied. If you're based at River Breamish Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite just down the road, this is a natural morning outing before you head elsewhere. The terrain isn't particularly dramatic or spectacular, but there's something satisfying about bagging a hill that's genuinely close to civilisation. Go early to avoid groups, and on a weekday you'll likely have it to yourself.