Fox Hill

The walk up Fox Hill rewards you with proper views across County Durham's rolling landscape - the kind of vista that makes the leg work feel worthwhile. It's not a dramatic peak by any means, but the moorland setting gives you real breathing space and a genuine sense of being somewhere wild, even though Shildon sits just a few miles away.

Once you reach the top, you can see for miles on a clear day. The walk itself takes maybe 45 minutes to an hour depending on your pace and where you start from. It's accessible for most fitness levels without being a doddle - there's some proper climbing involved, but nothing that'll have you cursing by the halfway point.

This is solid walking territory rather than a tourist attraction with facilities, so bring water and decent boots. There's no charge, no visitor centre, no cafe - just moorland and sky. Families with older kids who actually enjoy walking will get something out of it. Younger children might find it a bit samey after the initial novelty of reaching the top wears off.

If you're staying at Eden Grange Glamping nearby, Fox Hill works as a morning mission before heading elsewhere. It's the sort of place that slots nicely into a walking holiday around County Durham rather than a destination in itself. The views are worth the effort, but manage your expectations - this is honest fell walking, not Instagram gold.