Hangwell Law

The walk up Hangwell Law takes you out of Alnwick and onto proper Northumberland moorland, where the views open up across the Coquet Valley. It's not high - barely 300 metres - but the climb is steep enough to warm you up, and there's a real sense of isolation once you're up there. You get the horizon spreading out in every direction, and on a clear day you can see right across to the Cheviot Hills.

This is very much a walker's outing rather than a scenic drive-by. The path isn't marked brilliantly, so you'll need a map or a GPS app, and sturdy boots help when the ground's wet. Most people will spend an hour going up and another coming down, maybe a bit longer if you want to linger at the summit and pick out landmarks. The terrain is moorland grass and bracken - no scrambling, nothing technical, just honest legwork.

Families with younger kids might find it a bit of a slog for what amounts to a modest viewpoint, but teenagers and anyone who actually enjoys walking will get more out of it. It's the kind of place where you notice the weather, the seasons, and the quiet. If you're staying at one of the local farms - Middlemoor, Doxford, or Budle Bay are all within a few miles - this makes a decent morning mission before heading elsewhere. Pair it with Alnwick itself if you're planning a longer day. Free to walk, obviously. Go when it's not raining, unless you quite fancy the mud.