Collin Hill

The walk up Collin Hill from Barnard Castle rewards you with proper views across County Durham's rolling moorland - assuming the weather cooperates, which up here is never guaranteed. It's a straightforward fell walk rather than a dramatic scramble, taking you up onto open moorland where you can see for miles on a clear day. The terrain is rough underfoot in places, so decent boots are essential.

Most walkers knock this out in under two hours round trip, making it ideal if you're based at one of the nearby caravan parks like Leekworth or Mickleton Mill and want something that doesn't swallow your whole afternoon. Families with older kids will manage fine - younger ones might find the final push tedious, especially if the wind's up. There's no admission charge and no facilities on the hill itself, so bring water and something to eat if you plan to linger at the top.

The real value here is that it slots perfectly into a broader walk around Barnard Castle and Teesdale. You're not battling crowds like you would on some of the Lake District peaks, and the moorland has a wild, undeveloped feel that's becoming rarer. On a grey day it can feel a bit bleak and featureless, but catch it right and it's genuinely worth the effort. Pair it with a look round Barnard Castle town itself and you've got a solid morning sorted.