Allen Banks

The River Tyne cuts through a proper deep gorge here, and Allen Banks is where you go to see it at its most dramatic. Woodland walks wind down through ancient trees - oak and ash mostly - to reach the water's edge, where the riverbanks rear up on both sides like nature's own amphitheatre. It's free to visit and there's no official opening hours to worry about, which means you can turn up whenever suits.

Walkers will find this worth the detour from Hexham, especially if you've got time to kill between other Northumberland attractions. The riverside paths aren't strenuous, though some sections get steep coming back up. Allow a solid couple of hours if you want to do the full circuit without rushing. The gorge itself is the main draw - water, light filtering through the canopy, that slightly eerie quiet you get in deep woodland. History types might appreciate that this was industrialised once; you'll spot old millstones and remains if you know what you're looking for.

Families with younger kids can do shorter loops without losing the atmosphere. Teenagers with cabin fever will appreciate the scrambling opportunities along the banks. The nearby glamping sites - Langley Dam is closest at just over 2 miles, or the highly-rated Hadrian's Wall Campsite if you want to explore that heritage angle - make this an easy addition to a longer stay. Visit after rain when the water's properly flowing, or on a crisp autumn morning when the mist sits in the gorge. Skip the height of summer unless you enjoy picking your way past picnic groups.