Soulby Shiel

You'll find Soulby Shiel perched above the Coquet Valley, a modest but proper little peak that rewards the climb with views stretching across Northumberland's rolling moorland. It's not one of those dramatic summits that dominates the skyline, but there's something honest about it - you work for the reward without needing to be a fell runner.

The walk up is straightforward enough, taking around an hour from nearby Rothbury depending on your fitness and the path conditions. The moorland terrain is open and exposed, so wind can be bracing even when conditions seem calm lower down. On a clear day the views are genuinely cracking - you can pick out the Cheviots to the west and, if you're lucky, the Pennines beyond.

This is walkers' territory, pure and simple. If you're after dramatic rock formations or scrambling, you'll be disappointed. Family groups with younger children might find the initial push a bit steep for the payoff, though it's manageable for determined kids aged eight upwards. The real appeal is for folk who want a proper moorland walk without committing to a full day or tackling the more serious peaks nearby.

Stay at either Riverside Rothbury or Whitton Glebe - both cracking bases within easy driving distance - and pair this with walks around Rothbury itself or further explorations into the Cheviots. It's the sort of walk that slots nicely between easier valley strolls and the more serious upland challenges in the region. Allow a good half-day to avoid rushing.