Courteenhall Heights

The walk up to Courteenhall Heights isn't long, but it's steep enough to get your heart going. Once you're there, you get a proper panorama across the Nene Valley - rolling farmland stretching out in all directions, with Towcester visible to the south. It's one of those spots where you understand why people bothered to live here centuries ago. On a clear day the views are genuinely worth the climb, though I'd be honest - if the weather's murky, you're not missing much by giving it a skip.

Walkers will get the most out of this. It's a straightforward ascent that takes about 20-30 minutes from the base, manageable for families with older kids but potentially tedious for the very young. There's no visitor infrastructure up here - no cafe, no interpretive boards, just the view and the wind. Bring water and decent boots because the path can be boggy after rain.

It works well as a morning walk if you're based at one of the nearby parks - The Home Farm CL and Blisworth Park are both within a couple of miles, making this an easy addition to a weekend in the area. You could combine it with exploring Towcester itself, which has enough history to keep you occupied for a few hours. Allow an hour total if you're taking it leisurely. Free to visit, naturally, being a walk up a hill. Go early in the day if you can - the light's better and you'll have the place to yourself.