Esp Hill

The walk up Esp Hill, just outside Hexham, rewards you with proper Northumbrian moorland views that stretch for miles once you've earned them. It's not a massive peak - more of a serious ridge walk than a scramble - but the effort pays off with sight lines across the North Tyne valley that make the leg-work feel worthwhile.

You're looking at a decent hike here, not a casual stroll. The path climbs steadily through moorland and rough grass, so decent boots matter. On a clear day you get views right across to the Pennines and back towards the river valleys that carve through this corner of Northumberland. Walkers will absolutely get their money's worth from this one - it's the kind of walk that justifies a week at Stonehaugh Campsite or Bellingham Camping, both just a few miles away.

Timing-wise, allow a good two to three hours depending on your pace and how long you fancy stopping at the top. Early morning is best if you want to dodge the mist that can roll in by afternoon. There's something quite raw about it up there - it's not manicured or managed, just moorland doing what moorland does.

Families with older kids who don't mind a proper walk will enjoy it. Younger ones might find the climb tedious without the payoff of summit facilities - there's nothing at the top except views and wind. Come with map and compass skills or a good GPS app, because navigation on the moorland can be fiddly in poor visibility. Free to access, obviously. This is the real deal.