Hudy Gap Plantation

The forest at Hudy Gap Plantation spreads across the rolling terrain near Northallerton like a proper green lung - mixed woodland with plenty of walking routes threading through. It's the kind of place where you can actually hear yourself think, which feels rarer each year. The trees are well-established, giving real shade on warmer days, and the paths are decent underfoot without being manicured to death.

Walkers will get the most from it. There's nothing flashy here - no visitor centre or café, just forest - which means you're free to ramble for an hour or potter about for half a day depending on mood. Families with younger kids might manage an hour before the novelty of trees wears thin, but if you've got children who genuinely like being outside rather than just tolerating it, there's decent scope for exploration. The terrain isn't steep, which counts for something.

It sits well within reach of the caravan parks clustered around the area. Cote Ghyll, just over a mile away, makes a natural base if you're camping nearby and want an easy walk without driving. The forest works as a morning outing before heading elsewhere - it's not the sort of place that demands a full day, but it's absolutely worth the detour if you're already staying in North Yorkshire. Free access, naturally, which is always welcome.