Riffa Wood

The woodland around Riffa Wood near Otley is proper Yorkshire - steep hillsides, proper footpaths, and the kind of dense trees that make you forget there's a town just down the valley. It's a walker's spot, really. Nothing fancy, just paths through beech and oak with decent views across the Wharfe valley if you pick the right trail. Allow a good couple of hours if you're taking your time; it's not enormous, but the terrain's hilly enough that you won't rush it.

Families with older kids who can handle uneven ground will get on fine here. Little ones might struggle with the inclines if they're not seasoned walkers. There's something appealing about the ordinariness of it - no visitor centre, no café, just woodland as it should be. Spring's lovely when the canopy's coming through, though autumn's when the colour really shows.

It's an easy addition to a broader North Yorkshire walking trip. Maustin Park sits less than five miles away and gets consistently strong reviews, making it a sensible base if you're planning to explore this corner of Wharfedale. Rudding Holiday Park over towards Harrogate gives you more facilities if you want that, though you're then slightly further out. The real win with Riffa Wood is that it costs nothing and keeps you moving - ideal for those days when you want proper exercise without overthinking it.