Kay Hill

Kay Hill isn't going to take your breath away with dramatic views, but the walk up from Belford is quietly rewarding. It's a modest peak in Northumberland - nothing that demands crampons or serious scrambling - just a steady climb through proper walking country with decent views across the Cheviot slopes once you're up top.

The approach from the village is straightforward enough, though you'll want proper footwear; the path gets boggy in places after rain. Most people allow a couple of hours there and back at a leisurely pace. It works well if you're based at one of the caravan parks scattered around the area - South Meadows and Middlemoor Farm are both within striking distance - and want a half-day walk without the commitment of tackling something like the Cheviot itself.

Families with teenagers will manage it fine. Younger kids might find the climb tedious without much to see until you reach the top, so gauge accordingly. Serious fell walkers doing a longer route will barely notice Kay Hill as a destination in itself, but as part of a broader day in the hills it fits perfectly.

There's nothing at the summit - no cairn worth photographing, no shelter. What you get is a bit of solitude and the satisfaction of a straightforward walk in rolling Northumberland landscape. On a clear day you can see reasonable distance; in the frequent mist it's more of a slog. Free, obviously. Go in the warmer months when the ground's less waterlogged.