Beacon Hill

Standing 300 feet above the market town of Pickering, this modest hilltop offers surprisingly good views across the Vale of Pickering towards the North York Moors. The walk up from the town centre takes about 20 minutes through mixed woodland and isn't particularly challenging, though it's steep enough in places to get your heart rate up.

Families with older children will find it manageable, but the path can be muddy after rain and there's nothing much for toddlers once you reach the top. The summit itself is fairly unremarkable - a grassy clearing with a few benches - but on a clear day you can see right across to the Yorkshire Wolds.

Walkers staying at any of the nearby parks like Lakeside Caravan Park or Cote Ghyll will find it makes a decent morning leg-stretcher, especially if you're planning to explore Pickering's shops and the North Yorkshire Moors Railway afterwards. It's free to access year-round, though I'd avoid it in thick fog when there's literally nothing to see.

Honestly, it's not worth a special trip on its own, but if you're based locally and want some exercise before breakfast, Beacon Hill does the job. Allow an hour return from Pickering town centre.