Sourmilk Hill

The walk up Sourmilk Hill from Peterlee takes you through proper Durham countryside - nothing dramatic, but solid ground with decent views once you've done the climb. It's one of those local peaks that rewards effort without demanding serious mountaineering skills. The summit sits at a reasonable height and on a clear day you can see across the North East landscape, which is more than you'd expect from a place most visitors pass through without noticing.

This is a straightforward hill walk rather than a tourist attraction with facilities. Bring water, wear decent boots - it can get muddy - and allow an hour or so for the round trip depending on your pace. There's no entrance fee or visitor centre, just access to the path and what you make of it. Families with older kids will manage fine; younger ones might find it dull unless they're keen walkers already.

If you're staying at The Barn at Easington - just five miles away - this works as a good morning or afternoon outing to stretch your legs and break up a holiday in the area. It's the kind of walk that reminds you why the North East is worth exploring beyond the coast. Nothing flashy, but honest and unpretentious. Worth doing if you're nearby, though you wouldn't plan a trip around it alone.