Peasholm Park

The walk down into Peasholm Park from the clifftop feels like stepping into a different world altogether. What you get is a proper valley garden squeezed between Scarborough's cliffs, complete with woodland paths, a lake, and enough Japanese-influenced landscaping to make you forget you're on the Yorkshire coast. It's free to wander round, and that alone makes it worth an hour of your time when you're staying at one of the nearby caravan parks.

You'll find yourself threading past rhododendrons, crossing little bridges, and occasionally stumbling upon surprising features - a pagoda here, a rockery there. It's all quite deliberately done, which is refreshing. The lake's the centrepiece, properly calm and lined with trees. Kids will manage the paths easily enough, though don't expect them to be thrilled for hours on end. It's more of a proper walk than a playground.

Historically inclined visitors will get a kick from knowing this was originally Victorian pleasure grounds, though the Japanese elements came later. The woodland's genuinely pleasant in spring when things are pushing through, and autumn's decent too. Summer can get a touch rammed if you're visiting during school holidays - early mornings are your friend then.

If you're based at Scarborough Camping and Caravanning Club or Prospect House Farm just down the coast, this slots in nicely as a half-morning activity before lunch. The clifftop entrance is straightforward to find from town. It's not earth-shattering, but it's a proper piece of green space that actually rewards a visit rather than just ticking a box.