Riverside Masham

The River Ure winds through this stretch of North Yorkshire countryside like it's got all the time in the world, and Riverside Masham gives you proper access to follow it. It's a nature reserve that doesn't make a fuss about itself - no visitor centre, no gift shop - just water, woodland, and the kind of peace that makes you remember why you came to Yorkshire in the first place.

Walkers will find the most value here. The towpath along the river is straightforward enough for families with younger kids, though you'll need to watch footing after rain. Birdwatchers and photographers tend to linger longest - kingfishers dart through regularly, and the light filtering through the trees over water is genuinely excellent in late afternoon. Allow a couple of hours if you're meandering, less if you just fancy a half-hour stroll from Masham town centre itself.

It works brilliantly as a morning or evening outing when you're based at one of the nearby holiday parks. Sleningford Watermill is closest at under four miles, or if you're after glamping, Camp Kátur is only slightly further. After a day at Woodhouse Farm or another of the local parks, this reserve offers a completely different pace - no activities, no queues, just the river doing its thing.

Best visited outside peak summer weekends when car parks near Masham fill up. Bring binoculars if you've got them. Decent shoes are non-negotiable.