Keld Down Plantation

Head out from Richmond and you'll find yourself in a proper slice of working forestry rather than a manicured woodland walk. Keld Down Plantation is honest stuff - dense blocks of conifers planted decades ago, the sort of place that feels properly rural rather than designed for your Instagram feed.

Walking through here, the path narrows between the trees and you get that sense of being genuinely in the woods, not just sauntering round a park. The plantation has a working feel to it. You're not going to find cafe stops or interpretation boards, which some will love and others will find a bit grim depending on the weather.

It works well if you're the type who wants to stretch your legs without crowds or fanfare. Walkers appreciate it because there's actual distance to cover and the forest floor changes as you move through different sections. Kids might find it a bit samey after forty minutes if they're after drama, but if they like genuine exploration rather than playground stuff, this delivers.

Coupled with Hewn Yorkshire just down the road (seriously good reviews, proper facilities), you could make this part of a bigger walking day - maybe combine it with other moorland around Richmond. Go midweek if possible. The place works best when you're not fighting crowds, and the light through the trees is better in morning anyway.

No major facilities here that I could confirm, so bring water and don't expect to linger. It's a walk, not a destination in itself.