High Knott

The walk up High Knott takes about forty minutes from Bishop Auckland, and it's proper steep in places - not one for the unfit or the young kids who complain after five minutes. But once you're at the top, County Durham spreads out below you like someone's knocked over a box of green and grey. On a clear day you can see for miles across the Pennines. It's the kind of view that makes the huffing and puffing worth it.

This is walker territory, frankly. The peak itself isn't dramatic - no dramatic rocky outcrop or anything - but the moorland approach is genuine fell country. You get the real sense of being somewhere proper, not some manicured beauty spot. Families should know it's boggy underfoot after rain and there's no shelter or facilities at the top, so bring a flask and decent boots.

There's no charge to walk it. The surrounding landscape around Bishop Auckland has that rolling industrial heritage feel - you're close enough to see where the coal mines shaped the terrain, which adds a layer to the walk if you're interested in that sort of thing.

If you're based at either Westgate or Leekworth caravan parks just down the road, High Knott makes a solid morning or afternoon out. It's not a long expedition - ninety minutes there and back if you're decent with a map - which means you can combine it with exploring Bishop Auckland's market or trying the local pubs. Bit of everything, really.