Castle Knowe

The walk up Castle Knowe is steep and brief - about twenty minutes if you're not stopping to catch your breath. It's a proper little crag, not some sprawling fell, and the summit sits 380 metres up with views across the Northumberland hills that make the short slog worthwhile. On a clear day you can see south towards the Pennines and east towards the coast. There's not much up here beyond the views themselves - no ruins, no interpretation boards, just grass and the satisfaction of being somewhere high. Walkers exploring the Cheviot foothills will find it a natural detour from the trails around Alnwick, and families with older kids can manage it without drama, though the younger ones might grumble about the gradient. If you're camping at River Breamish Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite - a five-star spot just down the valley - this makes a solid morning outing before lunch. The real appeal is the effort-to-reward ratio. It's not a day-long expedition, which suits a holiday where you're mixing activities. The descent is easier on the knees than the climb, and you'll be back at the car park in under an hour. Go in decent weather; in cloud or rain it loses its point entirely. Good for clearing the head after a few days of more formal attractions around Alnwick town.