Dodd Hill

The walk up Dodd Hill near Harrogate is straightforward enough - it's not a slog - but the views across the Stray and beyond make it worth the leg work. You get proper Yorkshire moorland up here, rolling away in all directions, and on a clear day the visibility is decent. The summit itself isn't dramatic, but that's partly the appeal. There's space to breathe, no crowds of people, and the kind of quiet you don't get near town.

It's a solid afternoon outing for walkers, families with decent boots, and anyone after an easy-ish hill walk without the alpine pretension. The Harrogate Stray connects well, so you can loop it into a longer ramble if you fancy. Most people allow two to three hours round trip depending on pace and whether you stop to actually enjoy the views rather than just tick it off.

Come on a weekday morning if you can - you'll have the place nearly to yourself. Weekends bring out the locals, which is fine, but the solitude is the real draw here. The nearby glamping at Breaks Fold Farm (2.7 miles away) and Windmill Retreats (4.3 miles) make good bases if you're staying put for a few days of walking. Both are decent spots, though Breaks Fold offers proper facilities if you're bringing kids along. Free to walk, of course. No gates, no tickets, just moorland and Yorkshire air.