Deffer Wood

Deffer Wood sits just outside Sheffield and feels properly removed from the city despite being barely minutes away. It's a genuine forest walk rather than a manicured park - proper trees, proper undergrowth, the sort of place where you actually feel like you've gone somewhere. The woodland trails wind through deciduous and mixed forest, and on a decent day the light filtering through makes it worth the trip alone.

Walkers will get the most from this. It's not a destination in itself - you won't spend four hours here - but it's ideal for a bracing two-mile loop if you're based at one of the nearby glamping spots like Boots and Bubbles or Beesknees, or the more budget-friendly Hoodlands Farm Campsite. Families with young kids might find it a bit limited; there's not much in the way of facilities or defined play areas, just woodland. That said, if your children are past the pushchair stage and actually enjoy mucking about in the woods, they'll have a decent time spotting birds and hunting for interesting sticks.

There's no visitor centre or entrance fee to worry about - it's free access, which is always a bonus. Go early morning or late afternoon when the light's best and the place feels less exposed. Spring and autumn are your best bets weather-wise. It works well as part of a wider South Yorkshire ramble rather than a standalone trip, but if you're camping nearby and want a proper woodland wander without heading into the Peak District, it does the job.