Coal Hill

The walk up Coal Hill from Ripon takes about forty minutes if you're not dawdling, and the view from the top makes every step worthwhile. You're looking out across the Nidderdale valley, which on a clear day stretches for miles - proper expansive stuff. The peak itself is modest, nothing dramatic, but that's rather the point. It's the kind of walk that doesn't demand technical kit or special fitness, just decent boots and some patience.

Families with primary-age kids will manage it fine, though toddlers might grumble by the halfway mark. The path is straightforward enough, muddy in places after rain but nothing treacherous. History buffs should know this area's been worked for coal since medieval times, though you won't find much obvious evidence now - the landscape has recovered well. Allow two to three hours if you're stopping for photos and maybe a flask of tea at the summit.

The best time to visit is autumn, when the valley below turns golden and the light sits lower in the sky. Summer weekends bring more crowds, which feels unnecessary on a walk like this. If you're staying at Woodhouse Farm Holiday Park nearby, this makes an ideal morning out before heading elsewhere in the day. It won't dominate your itinerary, but it's a solid addition to a North Yorkshire walking break. Free to access, and the car park situation near Ripon is straightforward enough.