Haxby Wood

The woodland walk through Haxby Wood sits just a few miles north of York's medieval walls, and it's the sort of place that rewards you for leaving the city behind without demanding much effort. Ancient trees - oak, ash, birch - create a proper canopy overhead, and the paths are well-maintained enough for a casual afternoon without being manicured into blandness.

Walkers will find this straightforward. The trails wind through the wood at an easy pace, taking anything from 45 minutes to two hours depending on which route you pick. Kids don't tend to get bored here because there's always something underfoot - fallen branches, mushrooms, the occasional patch of bluebells in spring - and the space feels genuinely wild despite being so close to the city. History types should know this is ancient woodland, proper Saxon territory, though there's not much in the way of monuments or plaques to tell you about it.

There's no entrance fee, which keeps things beautifully simple. Come in autumn when the light filters through copper-coloured leaves, or early summer when the undergrowth is lush. Avoid the muddiest months unless you're properly equipped.

If you're staying at Ravensdale Glamping Retreats nearby, this makes an ideal morning or late afternoon excursion - close enough that you won't spend hours driving, far enough away to feel like proper countryside. It works as a gentle counterpoint to a York city break rather than a destination in itself.