Dove Crag

The walk up Dove Crag rewards you with proper views across the Coquet Valley. It's not a difficult climb - more of a steady trudge than a scramble - but the moorland plateau at the top is genuinely worth the effort, especially on a clear day when you can see right across to the Pennines.

This is squarely a walkers' thing. Don't expect a summit cairn or café. You get windswept heather, space, and that particular kind of quiet you only find on English fells. The nearby town of Morpeth sits just down the valley, making this an obvious half-day excursion if you're based in the area.

If you're staying at Whitton Glebe or Riverside Rothbury - both excellent spots within a couple of miles - Dove Crag slots perfectly into a park holiday. Most people allow two to three hours for the walk depending on fitness. Go early in the day if you want to avoid the afternoon crowds, though honestly you're unlikely to find the place rammed even in summer.

The moorland can be boggy after rain, so proper footwear matters. There's no charge and no specific opening times - it's just a hill. Families with confident walkers will manage it fine. Very young children or anyone after a stroll rather than actual climbing will find it hard work.