Stepping Stones

The River Coquet near Morpeth has a rather lovely set of stepping stones - the sort of thing that makes you feel like a kid again, even if you're trudging across with a rucksack. They're genuinely ancient, worn smooth by centuries of feet, and they cut straight across the water where it narrows just enough to make hopping from stone to stone feel adventurous rather than daft.

This is proper walking territory. You're not looking at a visitor centre or gift shop - it's just the river, the stones, and the surrounding Northumberland countryside doing what it does best. The crossing itself takes maybe five minutes, but the whole outing becomes a nice loop walk if you've got the energy. Low water levels in summer make it straightforward; winter can be slippery and you'll want decent footwear.

Families with steady-footed kids absolutely love it. Younger ones might need a hand, and toddlers could go either way depending on their nerve. If you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Parkdean Resorts Cresswell Towers or Woodland Chase Glamping are only a few miles away - this makes for an excellent morning venture before heading back for lunch.

The real pull is the landscape itself. You get proper views across the valley, and it's the kind of place where you actually notice the change in seasons. Worth factoring into a Northumberland park holiday, particularly if you're keen on walking rather than queuing.