Cali Heath

Cali Heath sits just outside York - proper wild Yorkshire moorland that feels a world away from the city centre despite being barely a stone's throw. It's a nature reserve, so what you get here is space, quietness, and the chance to actually see the land as it was. Heather, open ground, the sort of place where you notice the weather because there's nothing between you and it.

Walkers will find their time well spent. There are no marked trails in the tourist-board sense, but that's rather the point - you pick your own line across the heath and move at whatever pace suits you. Birdwatchers should bring binoculars. The reserve supports species you won't see in gardens, and in spring and early summer it's genuinely worth the attention. Families with restless legs will appreciate the openness; kids can run without crashing into anything, and there's room to breathe.

Free access, as nature reserves typically are, though you'll want sturdy footwear - it can be boggy after rain, and "heath" is often code for uneven ground. An hour works if you're passing through. Give yourself two or three if you're serious about exploring. Winter's actually rather good here when everything else looks tired; the place has a different sort of beauty.

Staying at one of the nearby glamping spots - Yapham Holds is closest at just over a mile - makes Cali Heath a natural morning walk. It's not dramatic or Instagram-obvious, but it's the real thing. No pretence, no crowds. That's worth something.