Hartwith Hill

Walk up to Hartwith Hill and you're rewarded with proper views across the Nidderdale Valley - the kind that justify a slightly sticky climb on a warm day. It's not a dramatic peak by Alpine standards, but for North Yorkshire moorland it does the job. The path itself meanders through heather and bilberry, and on clear days you can pick out Harrogate nestling down in the valley below.

This works best for active walkers or anyone after a solid two-hour loop without needing crampons or serious scrambling. Families with older kids will manage fine; younger ones might grumble at the final push to the summit, though the views do shut them up. It's the sort of walk you'd slot in between a morning exploring Harrogate's tea rooms and an afternoon at one of the nearby caravan parks.

Windmill Retreats is barely three miles away, making this an easy add-on if you're based there. Breaks Fold Farm Glamping sits a bit further out but still close enough for a morning expedition. There's no visitor centre or facilities at the top - just you, the wind, and a decent vantage point. Go early or late in the day to dodge crowds. The moorland can get boggy after heavy rain, so check conditions first. Free to access, naturally, and it costs nothing but time and effort.