Crofts Plantation

A proper working forest rather than a manicured country estate, Crofts Plantation sprawls across East Yorkshire's flattest terrain just outside Hull. You're walking through rows of managed woodland - mainly conifers - where you'll spot forestry operations in progress rather than pristine trails. It's the kind of place where locals go to clear their heads on a Sunday, not somewhere you'll find a visitor centre or gift shop.

The appeal is straightforward: woodland walks without the crowds. The terrain is dead flat, which suits families with younger legs and anyone after an easy ramble. In spring, when the understorey wakes up, it's less bleak than winter. Bring proper boots if it's been wet - the paths can get boggy and the whole place feels proper muddy underfoot.

There's no charge to wander about, and you can spend anywhere from forty minutes to a couple of hours depending on which tracks you follow. The forest works well as a half-day outing if you're staying at one of the nearby holiday parks - Little Otchan Glamping is genuinely excellent if you fancy something upmarket, while Parkdean Resorts Withernsea Sands Holiday Park and Sand le Mere are cheaper family options just a few miles south.

Honestly, it's not destination-worthy on its own. But if you're based in the area for a week and need to burn some energy between visits to the coast, it does the job. Don't expect panoramic vistas or woodland drama - this is functional forest, and there's something refreshingly unpretentious about that.