Puddingpie Hill

The climb up Puddingpie Hill, just outside Ripon, takes maybe twenty minutes if you're not dawdling. It's not particularly high - barely qualifies as a proper peak - but the views across North Yorkshire farmland are genuinely worth the leg work. On a clear day you can see for miles, which makes it a solid choice if you want something quick without committing to a major fell walk.

It's the kind of place that works best for families with younger kids or anyone after a straightforward countryside stroll rather than an epic expedition. The name alone will get children asking questions, though the actual origin is disappointingly obscure. Dog walkers seem to love it, and you'll often find others taking the same route, which is reassuring if you're navigating without a map.

There's nothing official about access that we can find - no gates, no admission charge, just a walk from the surrounding fields. Go in the late afternoon when the light's better and Ripon isn't too mobbed. Early morning is equally quiet if you're keen to beat crowds.

If you're based at Camp Kátur or Pembroke Caravan Park, both just a few miles away, this makes a proper half-day activity combined with a wander around Ripon's cathedral or High Street. Sleningford Watermill is equally close if you want something with a bit more structure afterwards. The hill itself won't take long, but the drive out here makes sense only if you're plotting a bigger day in the area.