Burn Hill

The walk up Burn Hill rewards you with one of the better viewpoints across County Durham, and it doesn't demand hours of your time either. The climb's straightforward - steep in places but nothing that'll have you questioning your fitness - and once you're up top, you get proper views across the Wear Valley and beyond. On a clear day you can see for miles; on a grey one (which is most days) it's still perfectly pleasant.

It's the kind of walk that suits families who want a genuine peak without the full fell-runner commitment. Kids can manage it, and there's real satisfaction at the summit - a proper sense of achievement rather than just a stroll round a car park. Allow an hour or so there and back from the nearest approach, depending on fitness and how long you want to linger at the top.

Stay based at Finchale Abbey Residential and Touring Park, just five miles away near Durham, and you've got a solid little walk that fits well into a broader exploration of the area. Durham itself is worth a day trip - the cathedral and castle are genuinely impressive - and this gives you a proper outdoor break without having to drive into the high Pennines. Andy's Woodland Wild camping is closer if you want something smaller and quieter, though it's wild camping so expect basics.

Go early if the weather looks half decent. The walk's exposed up top, so wind can be a factor, and it's not the sort of place you want to be when cloud rolls in.