Kielder Column

You'll spot this copper-clad column rising from the moorland near Hexham long before you reach it. Andrew Flood's 2009 sculpture stands about 17 metres tall and catches the light in a way that makes it impossible to miss across the Kielder landscape. It's part of the Kielder Art and Architecture trail, a series of installations scattered across the forest and countryside, and this particular piece acts as both landmark and viewpoint.

The Column itself is straightforward - you can walk around its base and take in the surrounding terrain, which opens up nicely across the moorland. It's more of a stop than a destination, really. Most people spend twenty minutes here, tops. The appeal sits in how it punctuates a larger walk through Kielder rather than standing alone as a full afternoon out.

If you're staying at one of the nearby campsite options - Kielder Waterside and Lodges or Landal Kielder Waterside are both within a few miles - this works as part of a bigger loop exploring the art trail. Hikers get more from it than casual visitors. It's free to visit and there's no official opening hours, so you can pass by whenever suits your route. The real draw is combining it with walks around the forest and reservoir itself. On a grey northern day it looks proper atmospheric; in sunshine it gleams like something from another planet.