Haugh Hill

The climb up Haugh Hill from Bishop Auckland is steep but mercifully brief, rewarding you with proper views across Weardale and the surrounding moorland. It's not a mountain - more of a determined walk that takes the best part of an hour from town - but the vista at the top justifies the huffing and puffing. On a clear day you can see across to the Pennines, and on a hazy afternoon it's still worth the effort for the sense of elevation and space.

This is walker's territory rather than a casual stroll. Families with school-age kids who don't mind a bit of legwork will manage it fine; younger children might find the gradient tedious. The path isn't technically difficult, just relentless in places. There's something satisfying about reaching the summit and being able to properly orientate yourself to the landscape - you realise just how much open country sits around Bishop Auckland once you're up here.

Westgate Caravan & Camping Site sits about six miles away, making this a logical half-day outing from a longer park-based holiday. Time it for late afternoon and you'll catch decent light for photographs. The walk is free, naturally, and accessible year-round though winter rain can turn the path boggy. Allow two hours there and back if you're not particularly fit, less if you stride it. It's not going to captivate you for hours, but as a way to earn your lunch back in town it works perfectly.