Humber Hill

The walk up Humber Hill takes you to 363 metres of proper Durham moorland, the sort of place where you can actually see the landscape roll away in all directions. It's marked by a trig point - those concrete pillars the Ordnance Survey scattered across Britain - and honestly, that's the whole appeal. No facilities, no visitor centre, no café. Just you, the hill, and the view.

It's a straightforward summit for walkers rather than a tourist trap. You'll not spend more than an hour here unless you're the type to sit and contemplate for a while. The climb isn't steep enough to worry most people, though the wind gets up when you're exposed. Worth doing on a clear day - on grey days it feels a bit empty and windswept, which suits some visitors fine but can feel bleak if you're after a cheerful afternoon out.

Families with older kids will enjoy the walk itself more than the destination. Younger ones might wonder why you've trudged them up a hill for a concrete post. Serious baggers and trig-hunters will tick it off their list without fuss.

Getting there from Derecroft is straightforward enough. Several parks sit within a couple of miles - Derecroft Glamping and Haystax Holiday Park are closest - making it an easy add-on to a wider walking week in County Durham. The Derwent Valley walks nearby offer more scenic appeal if you're honest, but Humber Hill works as a no-nonsense checkpoint when you're already in the area.