Tick Law

The walk up Tick Law rewards you with one of those Northumberland views that stops you mid-stride. This modest peak sits in the Cheviot foothills near Alnwick, and while it's hardly a mountain, the 370-metre summit gives proper perspective over the rolling border country. The route itself is straightforward - moorland underfoot, bracken and grass all the way up - and the whole thing takes about an hour from the car park at Clennell Street. No faffing about, no scrambling.

It's a cracking spot for families who want a walk that feels rewarding without being punishing. Kids old enough to manage a decent stride will love the openness of it, the feeling of being somewhere wild without the technical faff of proper hillwalking. Historians might enjoy standing where the Reivers once roamed; the view south across Coquetdale tells you why this border was so contested.

Free to visit, naturally. The nearest town for supplies or a decent pub crawl is Alnwick, a few miles south - perfectly manageable if you're based at River Breamish Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite or Middlemoor Farm Holidays. Both sit close enough for this to be a half-day outing rather than a commitment. The weather up here changes faster than a politician's promise, so go early when the light's good. Midweek in spring or autumn, you'll likely have the summit to yourself. That's the draw, really - emptiness, and a proper view for your effort.