Judile Park

The Tyne Valley doesn't give up its secrets easily, and Judile Park is one of those proper tucked-away reserves that rewards anyone willing to venture beyond Hexham's main roads. You're looking at a nature reserve where the emphasis is firmly on letting the landscape do the talking - woodland paths, open grassland, and the kind of peace you don't get in visitor-heavy spots. It's the sort of place where you actually hear the birds.

Who gets the most from it? Walkers, definitely. Anyone chasing a decent leg-stretch through something genuinely wild rather than manicured. Birdwatchers will find plenty to occupy them. Family groups won't struggle either, though younger kids might lose interest after an hour or so unless you're making a proper afternoon of it and combining it with lunch back in Hexham.

With campsites like Demesne Farm and Bellingham just down the road - less than a mile away - it works brilliantly as part of a wider Northumberland camping trip. You can base yourself at one of the closer sites and knock this out before heading to bigger attractions in the region. Wild Northumbrian Tipis and the glamping spots are further out but still within easy reach if you're after something with more comfort.

The walk itself takes what you put into it - could be an hour's potter or a proper half-day ramble depending on how much ground you want to cover. No fees to worry about, which is the way these reserves should be. Early morning or late afternoon light hits nicely here. Muddy after rain, so come prepared.