National Trust - Allen Banks and Staward Gorge

The River Tyne cuts through a proper dramatic gorge here, with steep wooded banks rising up on both sides and the water tumbling over rocks below. Allen Banks and Staward Gorge is a National Trust site near Hexham that feels like you've stumbled into something genuinely wild - the kind of place where the air smells of moss and damp earth, and you can hear the river long before you see it.

Walking the riverside trails takes between one and two hours depending on which path you take, and they're well-maintained without being over-sanitised. The gorge itself is narrow and atmospheric, with ancient woodland pressing in on either side. It's proper good for families with older kids who can manage uneven ground - younger ones might find the steep bits tedious. Adults who like a bit of grit to their walks will get far more out of this than those after a gentle stroll.

The site is free to visit. Spring and early summer are best when the water's flowing properly and the trees are properly leafed out - winter can feel a bit grim and muddy. Allow a good couple of hours if you want to do the full loop without rushing.

It slots nicely into a camping trip from any of the nearby sites. Hadrian's Wall Campsite and Langley Dam Glamping are both within easy reach, making this an unpretentious alternative to the wall itself if you want something less crowded.