Hard Heugh

The walk up Hard Heugh rewards you with proper panoramic views across Northumberland - on a clear day you can see for miles across the valleys and moorland. It's a straightforward climb from near Morpeth, nothing technical, but you do need decent legs and the right boots because the ground gets boggy in places.

What you're doing here is straightforward: climbing to the summit for the views, then heading back down the same way. There's no café, no visitor centre, no nonsense. Just you, the landscape, and if you're lucky, clear skies. The walk takes a couple of hours depending on your pace and how long you linger at the top.

This is absolutely one for walkers and fell baggers rather than families with small kids. The terrain is rough moorland, not a maintained path with handrails. Teenagers who enjoy a decent walk will find it worthwhile, but there's nothing to occupy anyone who wants a quick stroll and an ice cream.

Timing matters. Autumn gives you the best light and clearer air, though spring can be lovely too. Avoid after heavy rain when the boggy sections become treacherous. The exposure at the summit isn't dramatic - you're not teetering on a knife-edge - but you should respect the weather.

If you're staying at Riverside Rothbury or Whitton Glebe, both just a couple of miles away, Hard Heugh makes an excellent half-day addition to your park holiday. Pair it with a wander around Morpeth itself and you've got a solid day sorted.