Cloudy Crags

The walk up Cloudy Crags rewards you with proper Northumberland views - rolling moorland stretching out in every direction, and on a clear day you can pick out the Cheviot hills off to the west. It's not a particularly high peak, which means it's accessible without needing to be super fit, though the final approach does get steep enough to make you work for it.

You're looking at around two hours return from the car park, longer if you want to potter about at the top taking photos or eating a sandwich. The name's a bit of a giveaway - cloud cover rolls in regularly, so go early in the day for the best chance of clear air. The moorland terrain is boggy in places, especially after rain, so proper walking boots aren't optional.

Families with reasonably confident walkers will get something from this. Young kids might find it a slog without much to break up the walk itself, though the sense of achievement at the summit usually does the trick. History types won't find much - this is about the landscape, not what happened on it.

Based near Alnwick, you've got several decent park options within a few miles: Blossom Plantation, Percy Wood, Middlemoor Farm and Doxford Farm Camping all work as a base. None are particularly special on their own, but they're functional enough if you're using them as a hub for exploring the wider area.

Free to visit, naturally. Go midweek if possible - weekends can get a bit busy with local walkers.