Howsham Woods

The River Derwent cuts through a wooded gorge near Howsham in North Yorkshire, and it's absolutely worth the drive from York to see it properly. Howsham Woods is less about a formal attraction and more about the landscape itself - steep woodland banks, the river below, and the sort of quiet that makes you remember why you came north in the first place.

Walkers get the most from this spot. There are decent paths through the woods, and the river views reward you for the climb down. It's not a dramatic walk - nothing like the Lake District - but the woodland is proper peaceful and the gorge itself has real character. You'll want proper boots if it's been wet; the paths get slippery. Budget a good couple of hours if you're exploring properly, though you can duck in and out in thirty minutes if you're just passing through from York.

Families with older kids will enjoy it more than those with toddlers. Younger children might find the walk a bit much, and the uneven ground needs watching. There's something slightly wild about the place that appeals to people who like their nature unmanicured rather than signposted.

The nearby glamping options at Bugthorpe Grange and Fox Hill Holiday Park make this an easy addition to a broader Yorkshire break. Pop over from your base for an afternoon, combine it with York's gardens or another of the local walks, and you've got a proper day sorted. No admission fees to worry about, just park sensibly and head into the woods.