Greygarth Hill

Greygarth Hill sits just outside Ripon and gives you proper views across the Yorkshire landscape - the sort of vista that makes you understand why people settle in this part of the world. It's not a dramatic peak by any stretch, but the walk up rewards you with wide countryside stretching away in all directions, and on clear days you can see for miles.

The climb itself is straightforward enough, taking maybe thirty to forty minutes depending on your pace. It's the kind of walk that works for families with older kids or anyone who fancies a bit of exercise without technical difficulty. The paths are well-trodden but can get muddy after rain, so proper footwear matters. You'll want to allow a couple of hours if you're not in a tearing hurry - there's little point rushing just to stand on top for five minutes.

If you're based at Woodhouse Farm Holiday Park, just a few miles down the road, Greygarth Hill makes an excellent half-day outing. It breaks up the usual holiday rhythm without demanding a full day's commitment. Summer visits are obviously more pleasant, though the views on a crisp autumn morning can be rather special - just pick a day when the cloud's not sitting on top of everything.

There's no visitor infrastructure up here, so bring water and a snack if you plan to linger. It's free to visit and accessible year-round. History types might find it less interesting than walkers, but anyone after fresh air and decent views will get their money's worth - which in this case is nothing at all.