Routin Linn Waterfall

Water cascades down a proper steep drop near Wooler, and Routin Linn Waterfall is the sort of place that rewards a short walk with genuine drama. The falls themselves aren't massive - we're talking a decent tumble rather than Niagara - but they punch above their weight in a quiet corner of Northumberland.

Getting there means leaving the car near Wooler and heading out on foot. It's not a long hike, but it's muddy underfoot and the path gets narrow in places. The approach actually builds anticipation well. When you round the bend and see the water dropping into a dark pool surrounded by overhanging branches, it feels like you've stumbled somewhere properly wild rather than pulled up at a car park attraction.

This is brilliant for walkers who want a proper outing without committing to hours in the hills. Families with primary-age kids will enjoy it too, though toddlers might struggle with the terrain. Photography types come here for the light filtering through the trees above the gorge.

Base yourself at Highburn House Caravan Park just five miles away and you've got proper moorland walking to hand. The falls work as a morning or afternoon leg-stretch between longer days out on the surrounding Cheviots. Worth the detour if you're already in the area, though it's not the sort of thing that should dictate a Northumberland holiday by itself. Go when the water's high - late autumn through early spring - or you risk finding it underwhelming.