Hay Hill

The views from Hay Hill's summit are absolutely worth the walk, especially on a clear day when you can see right across to the Cheviot Hills. It's a proper little peak that doesn't take hours to bag - you're looking at maybe an hour and a bit up and back depending on fitness and which route you fancy. The walk itself is straightforward enough, with decent paths for most of the way, though it does get a bit steep near the top.

From Belford, it's close enough for a morning or afternoon outing without eating into a whole day. Families with older kids will manage fine; younger ones might find the final push a slog. The real appeal is the payoff at the top - on a good day you get that brilliant sense of perspective that makes the effort worthwhile. Northumberland walking doesn't need to be dramatic to be satisfying.

If you're staying at one of the nearby parks - South Meadows is basically on the doorstep, while Budle Bay and the others are within easy striking distance - Hay Hill works nicely as a leg-stretcher between longer days exploring the Cheviots or heading down to the coast. It's the sort of walk that clears the head without demanding serious kit or navigation skills. Free to access, as most hilltops are, and you can pretty much walk it any time that suits you.