Forge Woods

The woodland paths at Forge Woods feel properly ancient - gnarled oaks and a canopy so thick you'll lose the sky within fifty metres of the car park. It's a proper slice of South Yorkshire countryside, just a few miles outside Barnsley, and the kind of place that rewards a slow wander rather than a rushed circuit.

Walkers will get the most from this. The trails meander through mixed woodland with enough variation to keep things interesting for an hour or two - not a massive reserve, so don't expect a full day's hiking, but absolutely worth the detour if you're staying in the area. Families with younger kids might find it a bit limited; there's no obvious playground or visitor centre, just the woods themselves and whatever you bring to them.

The reserve sits well within a park holiday around Barnsley. Boots and Bubbles luxury glamping is just four miles away - proper comfortable base if you want something more upmarket - while Hoodlands Farm Campsite and Ingfield Farm Camping offer more traditional pitches within six miles. It's the sort of place to slip in between other activities, a morning walk before heading elsewhere.

No information on admission fees or formal opening hours, which suggests it's either free or managed quite loosely. Best to check locally once you've booked accommodation. Spring and early autumn are cracking times - less muddy than winter, not baking like July.