Morpeth

Ancient pele towers dot the landscape like stone sentinels, reminders of Border Reiver raids that once terrorised this corner of Northumberland. Morpeth sits at the heart of some of England's wildest countryside, where rolling hills give way to the dramatic peaks of the Cheviot Hills. The market town itself has a proper lived-in feel - none of that tourist-trap polish you get elsewhere.

Tosson Hill and Simonside rise to the north, offering cracking walks with views that stretch to the coast on clear days. Both peaks are well worth the effort, particularly Simonside with its craggy tor. The historic Tosson Tower, a 14th-century pele tower, stands as a fascinating reminder of the area's turbulent past. Dod Wood and Streethouse Plantation provide gentler rambles through ancient woodland.

For proper hill walkers, the surrounding peaks read like a fell runner's wish list. Dove Crag, Hard Heugh, and Ravens Heugh all offer different challenges, while Weather Head and Whitefield Hill reward climbers with panoramic Northumberland views. The landscape here is proper wild - bracken-covered slopes, stone walls, and that big sky feeling that makes you understand why the Romans struggled to tame this place.

Morpeth is easily reached by train from Newcastle, making it a sensible base for exploring the Cheviot foothills. Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks puts you right in the thick of this walking country, with most peaks accessible within a 30-minute drive. The area feels genuinely remote once you're up on the hills, yet you're never more than an hour from proper civilisation.