Bloemfontein Nature Reserve

The reserve sits just outside Stanley in County Durham, a proper patch of woodland and grassland that's easy to overlook but worth knowing about if you're camping nearby. It's the kind of place where you can actually hear yourself think - no theme park crowds, no gift shop, just trees and whatever birds happen to be about.

You'll find footpaths threading through the site, good for an hour's walk or a quick morning wander before heading elsewhere. The terrain is manageable, nothing that'll knacker you out. In spring and early summer the wildflowers can be decent, and if you're into birdwatching you might spot something interesting, though honestly it's more about getting some air into your lungs than ticking off rarities.

Families with young kids will get a decent walk out of it without the kids losing interest halfway. Older children might find it a bit quiet unless they're the nature-spotting type. It works well as a stopover activity rather than a full afternoon commitment - grab your wellies, do the loop, head back to your glamping pod.

Staying at Beamish Glamping or Beamish Holiday Park puts you within easy striking distance, and the reserve pairs nicely with a visit to Beamish Museum just down the road if you want proper attractions on your itinerary. Admission details are thin on the ground, so ring ahead or check locally in Stanley before you go - it might be completely free or there might be a small honesty box system. Either way, don't expect facilities beyond the paths themselves.