Shepherd Hill

The walk up Shepherd Hill rewards you with proper views across the North Yorkshire moors - the sort of landscape that makes you understand why people move here and never leave. It's not a dramatic peak by any stretch, but on a clear day you can pick out the Vale of Mowbray sprawling beneath you, and that's worth the leg work alone.

The climb itself takes about twenty minutes from the nearest access point, nothing too taxing. The paths are well-trodden and reasonably straightforward, though it can get a bit muddy after rain. Once you're up there, the summit's modest - just a gentle rise with moorland stretching in all directions - but the quiet is genuinely nice. You won't find crowds or facilities here, which is either exactly what you want or a reason to look elsewhere.

Families with reasonably fit kids will manage it fine; the walk's short enough that younger legs won't rebel. Serious hikers might find it a bit of a warm-up rather than a proper day out, though it links nicely with other routes if you fancy extending things. History buffs won't find much at the top itself - the real draw is the landscape and the chance to stand where shepherds actually worked the hills.

Close to Northallerton, it works brilliantly as a mid-afternoon excursion if you're based at Whorlton Pods or Cote Ghyll Caravan Park. The moorland light at golden hour is particularly good, so consider timing your visit for late afternoon. Free to visit, naturally - it's just a hill.