Copt Hill

The walk up Copt Hill rewards you with proper views across County Durham's rolling landscape - the kind of vista that justifies the climb. It's not a scramble; the path is straightforward enough for most fitness levels, though the final stretch does get a bit steep. From the summit you can see across to Durham itself and well beyond, which makes it a solid choice if you're basing yourself at one of the local caravan parks like Finchale Abbey or Durham Grange.

This is the sort of walk that takes about an hour return if you're not dawdling, though families might want to allow longer. There's something satisfying about reaching the top without needing ropes or specialist gear. The view alone won't occupy you all afternoon - you'll want to pair it with a walk around Durham's cathedral or a proper exploring session in the town itself.

It works well as a morning's activity before heading down to Finchale Abbey if you're staying nearby. The walk is free, naturally, and you can set off whenever suits you. Best avoided on really windy days when the exposure at the top can feel sharper than it actually is. Winter walks offer clearer sight lines across the valley, though the ground can be muddy. Go early in the day if you want solitude - it's a popular local spot come mid-morning.