Green Wood

Green Wood sits just outside Settle, a modest woodland that punches above its weight if you know what to do with it. The real pull here is the walking - decent trails thread through the trees, and you get proper views across the Ribble Valley once you've climbed high enough. It's the sort of place that rewards a bit of effort rather than a casual stroll.

For walkers it's genuinely worthwhile, especially if you're based at one of the nearby parks like Peaks and Pods or The Dalesbridge Campsite. The woodland itself is pleasant enough - nothing spectacular, but it breaks up a longer day nicely if you're tackling the bigger walks in the area. Families with younger kids might find an hour here enough before restlessness sets in, though older children who actually enjoy a proper hike will get more from it.

The location next to Settle is the real advantage. You're positioned between some of Yorkshire's best walking country, and Green Wood slots neatly into a day that might include the Settle-Carlisle line or walks around Pen-y-ghent. Orcaber Farm, just five miles away, makes an excellent base if you're planning to spend time here rather than treat it as a quick detour.

There's no charge to access the woodland, which removes the risk factor entirely. Allow a couple of hours if you're doing the full circuit, less if you just want a leg-stretch between other activities. The Dales demand proper boots and respect for the weather - Green Wood is no exception.