Chattlehope Burn

The burn itself is modest - a moorland stream rather than a dramatic water feature - but the walk to Chattlehope and back through the Northumberland hills is what makes this worth your time. You're looking at roughly three miles of proper fell country, with the water cutting through a steep-sided ravine that opens up suddenly as you approach. The heather moorland around it is genuinely striking, especially in late summer when it's all purple and gold.

Walkers will get the most from this one. It's not a casual stroll - the terrain's uneven and there's a fair bit of climbing - but the views back towards the Pennines justify the effort. Families with older kids who don't mind a bit of a trudge will enjoy it; younger ones might find it slow going.

There's no visitor facility here, so bring water and sort yourself out properly. The nearest town of Otterburn is only three miles away, which makes this a natural add-on to a wider moorland circuit. If you're staying at Border Forest Holiday Park just down the road, this works perfectly as a half-day excursion.

Go in autumn or spring when the weather's clearer and the crowds are thin. Summer brings midges to the moors, which is a genuine pain. Allow two to three hours for the round trip depending on pace and how long you linger at the burn itself. Worth doing? Yes - it's proper Northumberland walking.