Low Hag Plantation

Walk into Low Hag Plantation and you're immediately surrounded by mature woodland that feels properly remote despite being barely five miles from Bishop Auckland. The forest is dense enough that you lose sight of the outside world within minutes, which is the whole appeal really.

This is straightforward woodland walking territory. Paths wind through the trees without much fanfare - no visitor centre, no interpretation boards, just you and the forest. It's the sort of place where you'll spot roe deer if you're quiet enough, and the undergrowth changes with the seasons. Spring brings bluebells, autumn turns everything bronze and gold. Most people get a solid hour or two out of it, though you can stretch it longer if you're the type to sit and listen to the birds.

Families with young kids will manage fine on the main tracks, but prams are a non-starter. Walkers looking for genuine woodland without the crowds should make the trip - it's nothing flashy, but that's precisely why it works. If you're staying at Mickleton Mill or Westgate, both within easy reach, it's a cracking spot to burn an hour before lunch.

Bring decent shoes because the ground gets boggy after rain. The plantation is free to access, and there's no official opening hours business - you come when it suits you. Peak time is probably weekend mornings, so weekday visits are considerably more peaceful.