Crocky's Heugh

The walk up Crocky's Heugh takes about forty minutes from Morpeth, and you'll know you're getting close when the ground starts climbing properly through bracken and rough grass. It's not a dramatic peak - Northumberland doesn't do Alpine - but the views across the Coquet Valley are genuinely worth the effort, especially on a clear day when you can see for miles over rolling farmland and woodland.

Walkers will get the most from this one. It's a straightforward fell walk, nothing technical, the kind of thing families with older kids can manage without complaint. The summit itself is modest but the plateau gives you proper 360-degree views, and on weekends you might find a handful of others up there but rarely crowds. Allow two to three hours for a leisurely round trip.

Coming here makes sense if you're staying at Riverside Rothbury or Whitton Glebe - both are within easy striking distance and offer that comfortable base for exploring the area. From either park, Crocky's Heugh works as a morning outing before lunch, or an afternoon walk if the weather holds. There's no facilities at the summit itself, so pack water and something to eat.

The real appeal is the walking. If you're after pub meals and gift shops, this isn't it. But if you want a genuine taste of Northumberland's quieter hills without needing to drive hours north to the Cheviots, this does the job properly.