Stepping Stones Bolton Abbey

The River Wharfe near Bolton Abbey throws up a proper challenge in the form of these stepping stones - a line of flat rocks jutting out across the water that feels like nature's own assault course. On a dry day it's straightforward enough, though the current can be lively after rain and the stones get slippery fast. Most people manage it fine, but you'll see the occasional hiker turning back halfway through, reconsidering their footwear choices.

It's the walk in that matters as much as the stones themselves. The route from Bolton Abbey village takes you through riverside meadows with the ruins of the medieval priory visible across the water - proper atmospheric stuff. The whole excursion, including a potter around the stepping stones and back, takes about an hour, though walkers will want to extend it along the Wharfe's woodland stretches.

Families with older kids will get a kick out of the balance-and-dodge element, though under-eights might find it stressful rather than fun depending on their nerve. Dogs handle it better than you'd expect. The nearest town is Skipton, about four miles off, though if you're basing yourself at one of the local caravan parks - Catgill Farm is barely a mile away - this is the sort of walk you'd do on a lazy afternoon rather than a full day out. Free to access, obviously. Go early morning in summer to dodge the crowds, and definitely avoid it after heavy rain unless you fancy a proper soaking.