Skipton Hill

The walk up Skipton Hill rewards you with proper countryside views across North Yorkshire - the sort of panorama that makes you understand why people drive hours to escape the city. It's not a dramatic peak, more a steady climb that takes the best part of an hour from the base, but the vistas once you're up there stretch towards York and beyond.

You'll find a mixed crowd here: family groups tackling it as a Sunday afternoon outing, serious walkers using it as a training run, and the occasional person who's wandered off the beaten track between Skipton and York. It's accessible enough that younger children manage it without drama, though the steeper sections in the middle demand proper footwear. The trig point at the top marks the highest point - nothing grand, but a decent milestone.

Allow a solid two hours for the round trip if you're not rushing. There's no cafe at the summit, so bring water and perhaps a packed lunch if you want to linger and take photos. Early morning or late afternoon light is genuinely worth timing for; midday can feel a bit flat up there.

If you're basing yourself at one of the nearby parks - Hillside Caravan Park or The Hideaway at Baxby Manor - this makes a straightforward morning walk before heading into York. It's not a must-do attraction, but it's a decent way to stretch your legs and get your bearings on the landscape without spending the whole day on the hill.