Kitten Tom

The walk up Kitten Tom rewards you with panoramic views across Northumberland that stretch for miles in every direction. It's a proper fell, not some gentle nature trail - expect a real climb that gets your legs working but nothing technical or exposed that would worry most reasonably fit walkers.

The peak itself sits above Haltwhistle, that historic market town on the South Tyne, and on a clear day you can pick out the Pennines rolling away to the south while the North Tyne valley spreads below. The heather moorland gives it that wild, windswept feel you come to Northumberland for, without needing fell boots or navigational skills.

Allow a couple of hours there and back depending on your pace. Early morning is best if you want decent light for photos and fewer people on the path. Weather changes fast up here, so pack a jacket even when it looks settled.

For families with reasonably energetic kids - say ten and up - it's doable without being brutal. Younger ones might find the climb dull. History buffs will appreciate the views across Hadrian's Wall country to the north, though the fort itself is lower down.

Base yourself at Haltwhistle Camping and Caravanning Club Site just five miles away and you're perfectly positioned for this walk alongside exploring Hadrian's Wall and the surrounding valleys. The site itself gets solid reviews and makes a genuine base rather than just a parking spot for the night.