Barningham Park

The woodland at Barningham sits just outside Barnard Castle, offering a proper escape into the Pennine fringe without needing to trek hours from civilization. It's a working forest rather than a manicured park - all tall conifers, forest floor, and the kind of quiet that makes you remember why people bother with countryside at all.

Walkers get the most from this spot. The trees create natural paths and there's enough acreage to absorb an hour or two of wandering without feeling like you're covering the same ground twice. Families with younger kids might find it a bit plain - there aren't playgrounds or visitor facilities to speak of, so come prepared with a sense of adventure rather than expecting things done for you.

You'll want to allow two to three hours, depending on whether you're treating it as a leg-stretch or a proper walk. Spring brings decent light filtering through the canopy and the forest floor's less boggy. Winter can be muddy and dark by half three, so time your visit accordingly.

Its real value emerges as a complement to a Teesdale touring holiday. Barnard Castle itself is the obvious base - proper market town with shops and pubs - and several caravan sites sit within five or six miles if you're staying put. It pairs well with the riverside walks around the castle and makes a decent morning's outing before heading elsewhere in the valley. The forest isn't a destination in itself, but it's worth knowing about if you're already in the area.