Blackscar Wood

The woodland around Kirkby Stephen isn't famous, and that's precisely why it's worth your time. Blackscar Wood is proper forest walking country - mixed deciduous trees, uneven ground, the works. You're looking at a solid couple of hours here if you want to explore properly, longer if you dawdle and actually notice things.

It's the sort of place where families with capable walkers will have a genuine adventure without the crowds you'd find at a honeypot site. Kids either love tramping through actual woodland or they don't - this isn't a manicured park loop, it's a proper walk. Bring decent boots. The terrain shifts constantly between tree cover and open sections, which keeps things interesting rather than repetitive.

Access appears to be straightforward and free, though I'd suggest checking locally in Kirkby Stephen before you head out, as woodland access can shift seasonally. Spring is lovely here - the undergrowth comes alive. Autumn's equally good if you're after that golden-light-through-the-canopy thing. Midwinter feels a bit bleak, honestly.

If you're based at Gillcumber Glamping Pods just down the road, this is a natural pairing with your stay - close enough for a morning sortie without burning petrol, far enough away to feel like a proper excursion. It won't take all day, so you'll want other things planned alongside it. Pair it with a walk into Kirkby Stephen town itself or venture towards the broader Pennine trails if you're feeling ambitious.