Boathouse Wood

A strip of woodland with a small car park and picnic tables scattered among the trees - that's Boathouse Wood, and honestly, it's the sort of place you'd stumble upon rather than plan a trip around. It sits just outside Newcastle's orbit, close enough for a quick afternoon escape but far enough that it feels properly separate from the city sprawl.

You get woodland walks of varying lengths depending on how much time you've got and how adventurous you're feeling. The picnic tables are dotted through the trees, some right by the water if the site lives up to its name, others tucked into clearings. It's free - no pay machines or visitor centre nonsense - which makes it ideal if you're staying at nearby Northumberland Nook or Tranwell Farm Holidays and fancy breaking up the day without spending money.

Families with younger kids will get a solid couple of hours out of it: walk, picnic, let them burn off energy among the trees and that's your lot. Walkers passing through the area might not find it substantial enough to warrant a detour, but as a pit stop for lunch it works. The woodland setting beats eating sandwiches in a lay-by, at least.

Timing-wise, you won't need more than half a day here, and wet weather might make the ground rather boggy. Check locally before you go - the site isn't heavily publicised, so conditions and access can vary.