Westernhope Moor

The walk up Westernhope Moor from Bishop Auckland won't take long, but that's rather the point. At 355 metres, it's a proper fell rather than a mountain, the sort of walk that rewards a morning's effort without demanding a full day of your holiday. The moorland is open and windswept, with views across County Durham that stretch out proper wide on a clear day. You get the sense of real Pennine landscape here - rough grass, stone walls, and sky that dominates everything.

This is strictly for people who enjoy a straightforward hill walk. No scrambling, no technical bits, just steady legs and decent footwear. Families with older kids (say, ten and up) will find it manageable, though younger ones might struggle with the length rather than any difficulty. Walkers will appreciate the quiet - it's not crowded like some of the Lake District peaks, and the moorland feels genuinely remote despite being so close to Bishop Auckland.

You're looking at a couple of hours round trip depending on fitness and pace. Free access, naturally, as with most UK moorland. The nearby caravan parks - Westgate, White House & Hagg Bridge, and Leekworth are all within easy striking distance if you're basing yourself in the area. It combines well with other North Pennine walks if you've got a few days to spend exploring. Not spectacular, but honest walking country that does exactly what it says on the tin.