Lamb's Head

The walk up Lamb's Head from Hexham way isn't long, but it's steep enough to get your legs working. You're looking at a proper moorland climb - brown heather, rocks underfoot, the kind of ascent that leaves you breathing hard. Once you crest it, though, the view across the Tyne Valley spreads out properly, all rolling hills and distant horizons. It's the sort of fell that rewards the huff and puff without demanding a full day of your time.

Walkers will get the most from this one. It's not a stroll, and it's not a challenge either - more a solid middle ground for anyone with decent fitness who wants to bag a peak without the drive to the Lake District. Kids will find it manageable if they're used to hillwalking, though the exposed moorland can feel exposed in bad weather. Maybe two hours up and down if you're moving at a decent pace.

Timing-wise, you'll want decent visibility to make the walk worthwhile. Fog rolls in quickly up here, and then you're just trudging through mist. Spring and summer give you the best chance of clear views, though autumn can be sharp and clear too.

If you're staying at Westgate Caravan and Camping Site nearby, this makes a cracking morning walk before lunch. It's close enough not to eat into your whole day but substantial enough to feel like proper exercise. The kind of local walk that separates people who actually explore from those who just pass through.