Cawfields

The quarry face at Cawfields rises up sudden and dramatic - a great gash of grey stone that's been worked since Roman times. You're standing on what was once a Roman fort, though what you'll actually see is the evidence of centuries of serious industry: the pit itself, the high cliff walls, and on a clear day, sweeping views across the Northumberland moorland toward the South Tyne Valley.

It's the scale of the place that gets you. The quarry's enormous, and walking around the rim gives you proper perspective on how determined these people were - whether Roman soldiers or Victorian quarrymen. There's a visitor area with information panels, and the walk itself takes maybe 45 minutes to an hour depending on how long you dawdle. Free to visit, which is refreshing.

Historically minded types will get the most from this - it sits right on Hadrian's Wall, and you can trace the fort's outline if you know what you're looking at. Walkers will appreciate the circuit and the views. Kids might find it interesting for 20 minutes, then they'll want to move on. Families camping at Herding Hill Farm or Hadrian's Wall Campsite - both within a mile - could easily slot this into a morning before heading to other sections of the Wall or exploring Haltwhistle itself. It's not a destination in its own right, but as part of a Wall-focused trip, it's worth the stop. The exposure can be fierce in bad weather, so pick your day.