Bolts Law

The walk up to Bolts Law rewards you with one of the finest vantage points in Northumberland - you get proper panoramic views across the Pennines and down into the valleys that cut through this corner of the North East. It's a straightforward climb from near Hexham, nothing that demands serious hill-walking kit, but you'll feel like you've earned the summit when you reach the trig point and can see for miles.

This is walker country, pure and simple. Families with older children will manage it fine, though younger legs might find the steady gradient a bit much. The real appeal is for anyone who likes getting above the landscape to understand how the land sits together - you see the forests, the moorland, the distant industrial heritage all at once. The whole outing takes a couple of hours depending on pace and how long you linger at the top.

Bolts Law fits nicely into a wider Kielder holiday. The lodges at Kielder Waterside and Landal Kielder Waterside sit just a few miles away, making this a logical morning or afternoon escape from whatever else you're doing - lake time, cycling, exploring the quieter corners of the region. It's free to visit, as these moorland walks are, and there's a decent car park at the base. Pick a clear day and go early to avoid the crowds that build up in afternoon light.