Brown Hill

The walk up Brown Hill from Bishop Auckland is straightforward enough, and once you're at the top you get a proper sense of why people bother. The views across County Durham stretch out far enough to make the effort worthwhile - you can see right across the Wear Valley on a clear day, which isn't often, but when it is, it's genuinely impressive.

It's not a major summit, and the climb won't knacker you. Allow an hour there and back if you're not dawdling, though most people take longer to soak it in. The peak itself is quiet, the kind of spot where you might not see another soul, which is refreshing compared to some of the busier hills in the region.

Walkers will get the most from this one - families with younger kids might find it a bit underwhelming unless they're the outdoorsy type. There's nothing else up there once you've crested it, no cafe or facilities, so come prepared. Free admission, naturally.

If you're based at Westgate Caravan & Camping Site, Brown Hill makes an easy morning mission before tackling something bigger later. It's close enough to Bishop Auckland that you can combine it with a proper mooch around the town - grab a decent coffee, stretch your legs, and get yourself oriented. The hill works best as part of a wider walking day rather than a destination in itself.