Frazer's hush

You'll drive past Bishop Auckland and wind up into moorland that feels properly remote before spotting the pull-off for Frazer's Hush. The name's a bit odd - 'hush' is what lead miners called their excavations - and once you're up here you understand why they bothered dragging themselves this far. The views across County Durham open up like someone's pulled back a curtain. On a clear day you're looking at ridge after ridge rolling away, with Weardale laid out below and the hills beyond.

It's a short walk from the car, maybe five minutes, so families won't have legs aching before they've even arrived. There's nothing fancy here - no cafe, no gift shop, just you and the landscape. The viewpoint itself is simple but it does the job. Walkers heading into the moors will find it a useful orientation point. History types might appreciate the hush itself, though there's not much interpretation on site.

The caravan parks nearby - Westgate just 4 miles away, or Belle Vue Farm further out near Stanhope if you want something quieter - make this easy to slot into a broader park holiday exploring the Dales. On a grey day it's a bit bleak, but when the weather's with you, the walk up takes minutes and the reward is genuine. Well worth stopping en route rather than making a special trip, but if you're camping locally, it's worth an evening stroll.