Rawden Hill

The walk up Rawden Hill rewards you with proper views across the Wharfe Valley - the sort of prospect that makes you understand why people bother with Yorkshire moorland at all. It's not a massive undertaking; most walkers knock it off in under two hours from Otley, which sits right below. The climb is steady rather than brutal, and you get the kind of panoramic payoff that feels earned without being exhausting.

Walkers and fell runners make up most visitors here. Families with older kids do fine, though younger ones might find the moorland a bit bleak and featureless on a grey day. The real appeal is the walking itself - it's accessible enough that you don't need specialist kit, but open enough to feel like proper countryside rather than a park stroll. Spring and early summer are best; winter can turn the approach muddy and the wind gets proper bitter up top.

This works nicely as a half-day outing if you're based at one of the nearby caravan parks - Maustin Park and Fairmead Farm Glamping are closest at under three miles. Pair it with a wander around Otley's town centre afterwards for lunch. The moorland here connects to wider walking routes, so if you're the type who likes to chain walks together, you've got options. Free, obviously - it's a hill. Allow a full morning or early afternoon to do it justice without rushing.