Pen Bal Crag

The crag sits just inland from Whitley Bay, a proper rocky outcrop that locals have known about for centuries but most visitors completely miss. What you're actually looking at is an Iron Age hill fort - the ramparts are still visible if you know where to look, running along the ridge like ancient scars. The views across the coast and back towards the Tyne are excellent on a clear day, and there's something quietly impressive about standing where Iron Age people once stood watching the same sea.

It's a walker's spot rather than a destination in itself. You won't spend hours here - twenty minutes to half an hour is realistic - but if you're based at Parkdean Resorts Whitley Bay Holiday Park or Old Hartley Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite, it makes a straightforward detour. The climb's modest, nothing that would trouble families with reasonable fitness, though the ground can be muddy and uneven.

Historically minded types will get the most from it. Kids might find the fort ramparts interesting for five minutes, then want to move on. The real draw is the walk itself and the peace - you'll rarely see crowds. Access appears to be free and unrestricted, though there's no formal signage or facilities. Best visited on a dry day when the paths are passable. It's the sort of place that rewards a quiet morning rather than a summer afternoon, and pairs nicely with a coastal walk back towards Whitley Bay.