Hangman's Hill

The name alone stops you in your tracks - Hangman's Hill, just outside Durham, carries the sort of dark history that makes a walk up here feel properly weighted. It's a modest peak by any measure, but what it lacks in height it makes up for in atmosphere and views across County Durham's rolling countryside.

You're looking at a straightforward ascent, the kind of walk that rewards effort without demanding hours of your time. Once you're up top, the panorama opens out across the Wear valley and beyond - on a clear day you can really see the lie of the land. The hill itself is accessible parkland rather than wilderness, which means families with older kids can manage it without drama, though very small ones might find the climb tedious.

Worth timing for late afternoon, when the light softens across the ridges and you'll have fewer people trailing about. Bring decent boots if there's been rain - the ground gets boggy. The name's provenance is exactly what you'd expect from medieval Durham, though the hill has long since shed its grimmer associations and is now simply a destination for anyone wanting a proper walk within striking distance of the city.

If you're based at one of the nearby parks - Finchale Abbey or Grove Farm are your closest options for a touring caravan - this makes a morning or early evening sortie that won't eat your whole day. It sits well within a broader exploration of the Wear valley's walking routes.