Knowle Hill

The walk up Knowle Hill from Thirsk isn't going to test your legs much, but that's precisely why it works so well. You're looking at a gentle climb through proper Yorkshire countryside - the sort of place where you can talk without wheezing. The views from the top sweep across the Vale of York with the Hambleton Hills rising to the east, and on a clear day you'll spot Helmsley away in the distance. It's the kind of spot that rewards you without demanding much in return.

Walkers with young kids or anyone after a straightforward afternoon stroll will get the most out of this. An hour, perhaps ninety minutes if you dawdle and take photographs, covers the whole thing comfortably. There's nothing dramatic about it - no rare plants, no ruins, no visitor centre - which is rather the point. It's a proper hill walk for people who don't want to make a day of it.

Stay at Hillside Caravan Park just down the road and you're well-positioned for exploring the market town of Thirsk itself. The climb is free, obviously, and accessible year-round, though the path can get boggy after heavy rain. Go when the weather's decent and you want to stretch your legs without the commitment of a fell walk. The view isn't Instagram-worthy, but it's honest Yorkshire, and that's what makes it worth the short drive from town.