Hepburn Crags

The walk up Hepburn Crags rewards you with proper views across the Cheviot Hills - the sort of landscape that makes you understand why people walk for miles in Northumberland. It's a straightforward scramble rather than a technical climb, taking the best part of an hour to reach the top from the valley floor near Alnwick.

What you get is a modest rocky outcrop with enough character to justify the effort. The crags themselves are weathered sandstone, nothing dramatic, but the surrounding moorland and distant ridges create that sense of being properly in the hills. On a clear day you can see for miles. In poor weather it's a bit exposed and visibility drops fast, so timing matters.

This is walkers' territory. It suits anyone comfortable with rough ground and a gradient - families with older kids will manage it fine, though younger ones might find the scramble tedious. The whole thing takes two to three hours if you're not rushing. Free, obviously. No facilities up there, so bring water.

Camp at River Breamish or Riverside Wooler if you're making a proper base - both are within five miles and put you within reach of the whole Cheviot Walking country. Middlemoor Farm works too if you want something quieter. The crags fit well into a longer day exploring the valleys around Alnwick. They're worth the walk, but don't expect anything dramatic. Go for the moorland atmosphere and the leg stretch.