Houghton Hill

The walk up Houghton Hill rewards you with proper views across the Wear Valley - the sort of vista that makes the climb worthwhile on a clear day. It's a modest peak by any measure, but that's rather the point. You're not slogging up a mountain; you're taking a straightforward walk from Durham that gets you above the city and gives you space to breathe.

From the top, the cathedral sits small in the distance, and on good weather you can pick out miles of rolling countryside spreading out towards the Pennines. The hill itself isn't dramatic - no sudden drops or rocky outcrops - but it's the kind of place where you feel genuinely outside the city rather than just on its edge.

Walkers will get the most from this one. It's not a destination in itself where you'd spend half a day, but slot it into a wider ramble around Durham and you've got something solid. Allow an hour or so for the climb and views, depending on your pace and how long you linger at the top. Families with older kids will manage fine; younger ones might find it a bit of a slog without much payoff beyond the walking.

Staying at Finchale Abbey or Durham Grange, both a short drive away, makes this an easy half-morning outing. If you're wild camping at Andy's Woodland, you're even closer. Go early to avoid the crowds on weekends, and pick a day when the visibility is decent - a misty day makes the effort feel rather pointless.