Simon Knoll

Simon Knoll is a modest hill just outside Harrogate that gives you a proper viewpoint over the town and the rolling Yorkshire landscape beyond. It's not a dramatic summit - you're looking at a pleasant woodland walk rather than a scramble - but the effort pays off once you're up there.

The walk takes about thirty minutes from the town side, and you'll find yourself among beech trees for much of it before emerging onto open ground with decent views across to the Stray and beyond. On a clear day you can make out quite far. The real appeal is that it's straightforward enough for families with younger kids, though there's nothing particularly thrilling once you've taken the view in.

It works well as a morning outing if you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Rudding Holiday Park and Harrogate Caravan Park are both within easy driving distance, around 1.7 miles away. You could do this comfortably in an hour and a half total, leaving your afternoon free for exploring Harrogate's town centre or hitting Knaresborough just three miles further north.

Go early if you can, especially on weekends, as the woodland can get a bit crowded. No fees that I'm aware of - it's a straightforward public footpath access. Honestly, it's worth doing if you're based nearby and need a quick leg-stretch, but I wouldn't plan a special trip out here. The views are pleasant rather than stunning, and there's not much to detain you once you've reached the top.