River Derwent

The River Derwent winds through North Yorkshire with a quiet charm that catches you off guard. It's not dramatic - there's no thundering waterfall or jaw-dropping vista - but that's rather the point. This is a river for lingering, for watching herons work the shallows and spotting the occasional kingfisher dart between the reeds.

Walkers get the most from the Derwent. The towpath stretches for miles and works brilliantly as a flat, easy option if you're based at nearby Apple Blossom Caravan and Camping near Goole. Kids can paddle at certain spots, though the banks are often muddy - wellies essential. Birdwatchers will spend hours here, especially in spring and autumn when migrants pass through.

There's something meditative about following the meanders, watching the water catch the light differently every few hundred metres. The river connects a string of small villages rather than any single showpiece destination, so you're not coming for one spot - you're coming for the walk itself. That said, it never feels crowded, even in peak season.

The beauty is you can do as much or as little as you fancy. An hour's stroll from one bridge to the next is perfectly satisfying. A half-day circuit through the villages alongside is equally rewarding. Free to access, naturally - it's just a river - and best visited when the light's low, either morning or late afternoon, when the water takes on that particular golden quality.