Black Squares

Drive south from Stockton-on-Tees and you'll find yourself in proper forestry country - Black Squares is a working woodland that feels miles from anywhere, despite being barely twenty minutes from town. It's not a manicured attraction or a place with visitor centres and defined trails; it's a forest where you can actually walk. The appeal here is straightforward: mature trees, open space, and the kind of quiet you don't often get in the North East without really committing to the Pennines.

The wood works best for walkers and families wanting to burn off an hour or so without planning anything ambitious. Kids can scramble around the edges, dogs get a proper run, and you'll spot the occasional deer if you're lucky. It's free to access, which is the only way this really makes sense - it's woods, not a visitor experience. There's a car park of sorts, though it's very much low-key, and you're expected to know your way around rather than follow signs painted on trees.

If you're based at Donnewell Farm Caravan and Motorhome Club CL nearby, Black Squares fills a gap on a rainy afternoon or when you can't face driving further afield. It's not a destination in itself, but a decent local resource. Go early on a weekend if you want to avoid the handful of other walkers, and bring proper footwear - it gets boggy in places. Don't expect anything fancy. Just honest woodland.