The Stell, Falstone

A stone shelter perched on the moor above Falstone, The Stell is one of those proper old Northumberland features that hardly anyone knows about. It's basically a rough circular stone enclosure - built centuries ago as a refuge for shepherds caught out in bad weather, the kind of place where a worker might wait out a storm or a hard night. You won't find much to do here in terms of attractions, but that's precisely the point. It's a fifteen-minute walk from the village, and the views across the moorland are genuinely worth the leg-stretch, especially if you're based at one of the nearby holiday parks like Kielder Waterside or Landal Kielder Waterside.

The Stell works best for walkers with an interest in rural heritage - people who get a kick from understanding how the landscape functioned rather than those after dramatic viewpoints or facilities. There's nothing there but the structure itself and the quiet, which some will find brilliant and others a bit underwhelming. Hexham, the nearest town, is a fair drive away, so you'll want to plan this as part of a wider moorland walk rather than a standalone destination.

It's free, obviously. Allow an hour return if you're starting from Falstone village, longer if you're making a proper day of it on the moors. Spring and autumn are best - summer can be midgy, and winter bog makes the approach properly boggy. If you're staying at Wild Northumbrian Tipis & Yurts nearby, this fits neatly into a half-day exploration of the area.