Black Down

The walk up Black Down rewards you with proper views across Northumberland's moorland. It's not a dramatic peak - more of a high plateau really - but on a clear day you can see right across the Tyne Valley towards the Pennines. The summit itself is fairly modest, just open moorland, though there's an old stone shelter up there if the weather turns.

Walkers will get the most from this one. The approach from near Hexham takes a couple of hours depending on which route you choose, and it's well-trodden enough to follow easily. Families with teenagers who actually enjoy a proper walk rather than a stroll will find it satisfying. Younger kids might flag before reaching the top, to be honest.

There's no admission fee - it's just open moorland. Allow three to four hours for the round trip if you're taking your time and stopping for photos. Spring and autumn are cracking seasons up here, when the light's lovely and it's not rammed with summer tourists.

If you're staying at one of the local glamping spots like Wild Northumberland or Sycamore, Black Down makes a proper morning or afternoon outing. It slots well into a broader Northumberland walking holiday, sitting close enough to Hexham to combine with exploring the town's Roman fort or the riverside walks downstream. The moorland environment is genuinely peaceful once you're away from the car park, which matters when everything else in the region gets busy with visitors.