Forestry England - Yorkshire

Forestry England's Yorkshire operations sprawl across some genuinely impressive woodland, and if you're basing yourself near Pickering, you'd be daft not to spend at least a day exploring the forests here. These aren't tidy, manicured parks - they're proper working forests with miles of walking trails that suit everyone from families after an easy afternoon stroll to serious hikers looking to test themselves.

What you get is access to a network of paths through mixed woodland, with everything from gentle riverside walks to hillier routes that'll have you breathing hard. The trees change with the seasons, which matters more than you'd think when you're walking among them. Spring brings bluebells. Autumn turns everything orange and gold. Winter lets you see the bones of the landscape.

It's free to wander most of the woodland, though some specific attractions or facilities might charge. The beauty of Forestry England land is you're rarely more than a few minutes from Pickering if you want to grab lunch or a coffee - the nearest caravan parks like Swallowtails and Lakeside are practically on the doorstep, which makes this an ideal base for a long weekend.

Families will find the easier trails manageable with kids. Dog walkers absolutely love it here. But it's walkers and nature types who'll get the most out of it. Come out of season if you can - fewer people, better light, and the forests feel less crowded. On a grey Tuesday in November, this place feels properly wild.