Potternewton Park

The moment you walk into Potternewton Park, you're struck by how much green space Leeds has managed to preserve so close to the city centre. It's a proper nature reserve - woodland, grassland, ponds - the sort of place where you can actually forget you're a few minutes from the urban sprawl. The paths wind through different habitats, and if you're any good at spotting birds, you'll find plenty to keep you occupied. Birdwatchers genuinely rate this place.

It's best suited to families with older kids and keen walkers rather than the toddler crowd - there's no obvious playground or café, so come prepared. Allow a couple of hours to do it properly, longer if you're photographing anything. The best time to visit is spring or early summer when the woodland comes alive and migrating birds pass through.

What makes it work as part of a caravan park stay in the area is the proximity to Leeds itself. You're not far from Glenfield Caravan Park or Moor Lodge if you're based nearby, and it offers a genuine nature fix without driving miles into the Dales. It's the sort of place locals know about and visitors often miss - exactly the kind of spot that makes a holiday feel less like ticking boxes and more like actually living somewhere for a bit. Free access, no faffing about with admission, which is refreshing.