Cateran Hole

A modest cave mouth tucked into the Northumberland landscape near Alnwick, Cateran Hole is the sort of spot that rewards a short detour if you're already exploring the area. The cave itself is small - you're not talking about vast underground chambers here - but it's got genuine history attached to it. Legend has it that Cateran raiders used the cave as a hideout, though whether that's proven fact or local folklore, the appeal is partly in the mystery.

It's a straightforward walk to reach the entrance, and families with older kids will manage it fine. Younger children might find it underwhelming unless they're genuinely into caves and outlaws. The real pull is the sense of place rather than scale - standing at the mouth looking out over the Northumberland hills, you get why someone would have sheltered here centuries ago.

Don't expect facilities or visitor infrastructure. There's no entry fee because there's nowhere to pay, no opening hours because it's just there. Allow twenty minutes or so, unless you're the type to sit and soak in the atmosphere. It works perfectly as part of a walking route if you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Middlemoor Farm Holidays or River Breamish Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite are both within a few miles and give you access to better walking country. Winter visits can be atmospheric; summer weekends might see other walkers about. Worth your time if you're in the area, but don't rearrange your whole trip around it.