Kelton fell

The walk up Kelton Fell from Barnard Castle takes you away from the market town hubbub and into proper Pennine country. It's a straightforward fell with decent views across the Teesdale valley - nothing dramatic, but the kind of place where you actually notice the weather changing as you climb. The summit isn't marked with anything grand, just moorland that opens up around you.

This is walkers' territory, not a tourist trap. You'll spend two to three hours on it comfortably, depending on your pace and how many times you stop to look back at the castle. Families with older kids who don't mind a bit of leg work will find it manageable. Younger children might get grumpy on the way down.

The fell itself is free - it's just open moorland. Best visited in decent weather because the views are really the whole point, and in mist you're just walking through cloud. Early autumn works well, or spring when the heather's coming through. Summer can feel crowded if you're after solitude.

If you're basing yourself at Leekworth or Mickleton Mill, both within five miles, this makes a proper morning or afternoon outing. It slots well into a walking holiday around the area. Don't expect visitor facilities on the fell itself - bring water and a packed lunch. The real reward is the quiet and the space.