Three Laws

The walk up Three Laws from Bishop Auckland takes you to one of those peaks that doesn't look like much until you're actually standing on it. This moorland summit sits at around 400 metres and rewards you with proper wide views across County Durham - nothing dramatic, but the kind of sweeping landscape that makes sense of why you trudged up here. The climb itself is straightforward enough, starting from accessible moorland trails rather than a steep scramble.

It's a walker's destination, plain and simple. Families with older kids will manage it fine in decent weather, but younger children might find the exposed moorland a bit tedious without much in the way of landmarks to break up the route. The real appeal is for anyone who enjoys a decent fell walk without needing a dramatic peak - you get the physical satisfaction and the views without the crowds you'd find at somewhere like High Cup Nick.

Allow a couple of hours for the round trip depending on your fitness and pace. There's nothing commercial up there - no café, no facilities - so pack what you need. The weather matters more than most walks; moorland can turn miserable quickly, so check conditions first.

Staying at one of the holiday parks within five miles - Heather View, White House & Hagg Bridge, or Hill Top Huts are all close - gives you easy access to this and the broader hiking network around Bishop Auckland. It's worth the detour if you're in the area and fancy a straightforward moorland walk.