Betty Watson's Hill

The walk up Betty Watson's Hill from Richmond takes about forty minutes if you're not dawdling, and the payoff is proper worth the effort. You're looking at sweeping views across Swaledale and the surrounding dales - the kind of vista that makes you understand why people bother with hiking boots and shin splints. The summit itself is modest, nothing dramatic, but on a clear day you can see for miles across North Yorkshire's rolling countryside.

It's ideal for walkers wanting something achievable without making a full day of it. Families with kids aged eight or up will manage fine, though younger ones might need carrying for stretches. The path's straightforward enough, though it does get a bit steep toward the top. Allow a couple of hours including a breather at the summit.

The real appeal is that it feels lived-in rather than over-touristed. You'll see the occasional rambler but rarely crowds, and there's something satisfying about climbing something with a proper person's name attached instead of just 'High Pike' or whatever. Local walkers know it well; casual visitors often miss it entirely.

If you're based at Hewn Yorkshire - just 3.7 miles away - it's an excellent morning sortie before lunch. The nearby town of Richmond itself is worth a poke about, but this hill is where you actually feel the landscape under your feet. Go when the weather's settled; it's not sheltered, and low cloud makes the whole thing rather pointless.