Bolt's Law

The walk up Bolt's Law rewards you with proper Pennine views - the kind where you can see right across County Durham on a clear day. It's a straightforward fell-walk from Bishop Auckland, nothing too technical, which means families with capable legs can manage it without turning it into an expedition.

Once you're up there, you get the sense of being somewhere important to the landscape. The fell itself is modest in height but stands out enough to offer serious views across the moors. On a grey afternoon I visited, the clouds were doing their usual moody thing, but even then you could trace the valleys and spot other peaks in the distance. It's the sort of place where a packed lunch tastes better than it has any right to.

The walk itself takes a couple of hours depending on your pace and how long you dawdle at the top. Walkers will get the most from this - it's not a destination where you park up and stare for ten minutes. Families might find it a bit samey on the descent, but if the kids are used to countryside walking, they'll manage fine.

Staying nearby, there's a decent cluster of caravan parks within striking distance - Belle Vue Farm at Stanhope is under four miles away, or White House & Hagg Bridge if you prefer something slightly further out. From any of the sites in the area, you could easily combine this with other Pennine walks to build a proper walking holiday. It's the sort of local peak that doesn't need booking or fees - just decent boots and an early start.