Ox Close Wood

This woodland sits just outside Leeds - proper easy to reach if you're staying at one of the caravan parks near Harrogate. Ox Close Wood is the sort of place that rewards a decent walk rather than a quick stroll. The paths wind through mature woodland with the kind of light filtering through canopy that makes you actually want to be there, not stuck in the car.

It's woodland, so you get what you pay for - trees, quietness, space to breathe. There's nothing flashy about it. Families with younger kids might find an hour does it; proper walkers will spend half a day here without getting bored. If you're the type who likes getting off the main paths, there's enough woodland to explore without feeling lost.

Dog walkers absolutely love it, which tells you something. The ground's usually pretty forgiving underfoot, even after rain, though you'll want decent shoes rather than trainers. No facilities to speak of - take a flask if you're settling in.

Where it works best is as part of a broader day out near Harrogate. Rudding Holiday Park and Harrogate Caravan Park both put you well-positioned to use this as a walking base. It's not dramatic - won't wow you with views or history - but it's genuine woodland that does exactly what it says. Sometimes that's worth more than the honeypot attractions that fill up with coaches by noon.