Black Hambleton

You can see for miles from the top of Black Hambleton. On a clear day, the view sweeps across the North York Moors in one direction and down towards the Vale of York in the other - it's genuinely arresting stuff. The peak itself sits at around 1,300 feet, which sounds impressive until you realise it's actually a fairly gentle walk from the Cleveland Way, so you won't be huffing and puffing like you've scaled Everest.

The walk up takes maybe 45 minutes to an hour depending on your pace and the exact route you choose. There's an ancient earthwork at the summit - an Iron Age fort - though there's not much left to see beyond the slightly raised contours if you know what you're looking for. Honestly, most people come for the views rather than the archaeology. The moorland around it is lovely in late summer and early autumn when the heather's in bloom.

Walkers will get the most out of this one. It works brilliantly as a half-day outing from Northallerton or as part of a longer Cleveland Way ramble. Families with older kids can manage it fine, though younger ones might grumble about the walk back down. There's no facilities at the top - bring your own water and snacks.

If you're staying at Cote Ghyll Caravan Park or Hillside just outside town, Black Hambleton makes a decent morning's work before lunch. It's free to walk, obviously, and gives you proper moorland views without needing a massive expedition. Weather dependent though - in cloud cover it's just rather bleak.