Lover's Leap

The walk up to Lover's Leap, just outside Ripon, rewards you with one of those sudden Yorkshire vistas that makes you forget why you were moaning about the climb. It's a proper viewpoint rather than a manicured attraction - you're looking out over the valley with nothing between you and the landscape, and on a clear day it's genuinely something special.

The name comes with a legend, as these places do, though I'll spare you the melodrama. What matters is that it's free to visit and requires a reasonable walk to get there, which means it stays relatively quiet even during the school holidays. Twenty minutes or so from the car park gets you to the top, and most people will spend another ten or fifteen taking in the view and having a rest.

It's ideal for walkers and anyone after a bit of fresh air without the rigmarole of a full day's hike. Families with kids who can manage the climb will get something out of it, though there's not much to actually do once you're there beyond looking and breathing. If you're staying at one of the holiday parks nearby - Sleningford Watermill and Woodhouse Farm are both within spitting distance - this works well as a morning or late-afternoon excursion. The valley light is best in late afternoon, which is worth planning around.

Bring proper shoes. The path gets muddy, especially after rain, and there's nothing worse than arriving at a viewpoint with wet socks.