Great Stony Hill

The walk up Great Stony Hill rewards you with proper views across the Wear Valley. It's not a massive undertaking - more of a solid afternoon outing than a full day expedition - but the climb is steep enough that you'll feel like you've earned the summit. From the top, County Durham spreads out in front of you, and on a clear day you can see for miles across moorland and farmland. Bishop Auckland sits within striking distance, making this a natural add-on if you're based in the town.

Walkers will get the most from this. It's the sort of place where you genuinely want to sit for twenty minutes and just look around rather than tick it off and move on. The path itself is straightforward enough, though it can be muddy after rain, so decent boots matter. Allow a couple of hours there and back from the nearest car access, depending on your pace and how long you linger.

If you're camping at Westgate Caravan & Camping Site nearby, this makes a cracking afternoon walk - close enough that you're not driving for an hour, but far enough that it feels like a proper venture. The site itself is well-rated, and having this kind of moorland walking on your doorstep justifies the trip north. Go on a day with decent weather and you'll understand why people bother with the North East at all.