Bracken Hill

The walk up Bracken Hill rewards you with proper views across North Yorkshire the moment you crest the top. It's not a dramatic peak - nothing like the Lake District showstoppers - but that's partly the appeal. You get genuine solitude here, not crowds of ramblers all jostling for the same Instagram shot.

The climb itself takes about 45 minutes from Northallerton, depending on your pace and which approach you take. The terrain is moorland underfoot, which means it can be boggy after rain, so decent boots are non-negotiable. Once you're up there, the views open out properly across the Pennines to the west and down into the Vale of Mowsley. On a clear day it's well worth the effort.

Families with older kids will manage this fine - there's nothing technical about it. Younger ones might find the slog a bit much unless they're keen walkers already. The real crowd here is serious ramblers doing multi-peak days across North Yorkshire.

Stay at one of the nearby campsites - Whorlton Pods is closest at just 1.4 miles, while Stablefell Holidays sits at 2.6 miles if you prefer a traditional campsite setup. Either base gives you quick access to Bracken Hill and plenty of other walks in the surrounding moorland. There's no charge for the hill itself, obviously. Aim for late afternoon light if you can; it catches the landscape properly.