Slate Hill

The walk up Slate Hill rewards you with proper views across Northumberland - the kind that make you understand why people move up here and stay put. It's not a dramatic peak by Alpine standards, but on a clear day the vistas stretch far enough to justify the effort, especially if you're basing yourself at one of the nearby parks like Northumberland Nook.

The ascent itself is straightforward enough without being a doddle. You'll gain height steadily through moorland terrain, and the path is reasonably well-trodden. Allow a good couple of hours for the round trip if you're not rushing, longer if you fancy a proper sit-down at the top with a flask. The actual summit is humble - no cairn, no shelter - but that's rather the point. You're here for the walking and the views, not for Instagram moments.

It suits walkers far more than families with small children. The terrain is open and exposed, which means wind can be sharp and weather changes quickly. Get the forecast right and you'll have a cracking half-day outing. Get it wrong and you're trudging back in drizzle wondering why you bothered. Most visitors allow three hours total.

From Northumberland Nook - genuinely excellent at five stars - you're well-placed to explore this corner of the landscape. It's the kind of walk that works best as part of a longer Northumberland trip rather than a standalone day, but if you're already in the area, Slate Hill delivers straightforward moorland walking without pretension or crowds.