Richmond park

The main draw here is the deer. Hundreds of them roaming freely across 2,500 acres of parkland just outside Doncaster - red deer, fallow deer, and muntjac all going about their business while you watch from a safe distance. It's genuinely impressive when a stag ambles past you on the path, antlers catching the light.

Walkers will get the most from this place. There are proper trails criss-crossing the park, ranging from gentle loops near the car park to longer routes that take you into the quieter corners where you're far more likely to spot deer undisturbed. Bring binoculars if you're serious about wildlife watching. Families with young kids might find the open grassland fun for an hour or so, but attention spans can wane once they realise the deer won't perform on command.

The park's free to enter, though I'd allow at least two to three hours to do it justice - less if you're just after a quick stroll. Early morning or late afternoon offers the best chance of seeing the herds. Summer weekends get busy with people, so if solitude matters to you, aim for a weekday or autumn.

If you're staying at Misterton Holiday Park or Waterfront Country Park nearby, this makes an easy half-day excursion. It's the sort of place that feels properly wild despite being accessible, which is rare this close to a decent-sized town. Worth the detour if you're in the area and fancy something more active than the usual park fare.