Dilston Castle (remains)

The ruins of Dilston Castle sprawl across a hillside just south of Hexham, and they're worth the short drive from town if you've got an afternoon to kill. What remains is the gatehouse tower - a squat, imposing thing in red sandstone that's somehow still standing after centuries of neglect. You can walk right up to it, peer through the windows, and get a proper sense of how defensive these border fortifications actually were.

It's a working farm now, so access can be a bit touch-and-go depending on what's happening with livestock. The walk from the car park is gentle enough, maybe ten minutes, and you're rewarded with views across the Tyne Valley that genuinely are worth the leg-work. The castle itself was built in the 1400s and saw action during the English Civil War - there's something about standing in front of something that old that still gets you, even if it is just one tower.

History buffs will find it more rewarding than families with restless kids. There's not much to do once you're there beyond looking, photographing, and reading the interpretation boards. Allow 45 minutes to an hour. Free to visit, though you might want to check ahead about farm access.

If you're staying at Springhouse Boutique Holiday Park or East Farm Glamping nearby, this makes a decent addition to a Hexham-centred week - it's far less crowded than Hadrian's Wall sites and sits well alongside the town's market and riverside walks.