Hyons West Wood

A proper woodland walk sits just outside Stocksfield, where Hyons West Wood offers the kind of quiet forest you don't have to fight crowds to enjoy. The trees are tall and dense enough to shut out the world - even on a sunny day you're walking in dappled shadow, which makes a real difference if you're after escape rather than views.

It's woodland, so what you get is what you'd expect: paths through mixed forest, birdsong, the occasional clearing. Children will find it decent for an hour or so, though there's nothing flashy - no play equipment, no visitor centre, just trees and soil underfoot. Dog walkers clearly use it regularly, and it's the kind of place where a two-hour ramble feels properly restorative without being taxing.

If you're staying at Valley View Camping & Glamping just a mile away, it's an obvious choice for a morning walk before breakfast. The woodland sits well within a broader park holiday - Allensford Holiday Park over in Consett is only six miles south, so you could easily loop this into a longer itinerary without doubling back.

Timing-wise, spring and autumn are when the woodland actually sings. Summer can feel muggy under all that canopy, and winter muddy depending on rainfall. It's free to walk, which counts in its favour - no gates, no admission desk, just access.