South Agnew Plantation

Tucked just outside Shildon, South Agnew Plantation is a proper woodland walk rather than a manicured attraction - the sort of place where you might actually see red squirrels if you're quiet enough and lucky. It's a working forest, so the paths wind between stands of conifers and deciduous trees in various stages of growth, offering that genuine back-to-nature feel without needing to drive hours into the Pennines.

The main draw is straightforward: if you want to stretch your legs in green space for an hour or so, it delivers. The woodland floor is soft underfoot, the paths are reasonably well-marked, and on a decent day there's something restorative about being under the canopy. It won't blow your mind with views or dramatic vistas - this is Durham, not the Lake District - but that's rather the point. Walkers and families after an easy ramble will get the most from it. Kids can burn energy without needing constant entertainment, though there's no playground or visitor centre to speak of.

If you're based at one of the nearby holiday parks - Eden Grange Glamping sits just 2 miles away, while The Gables Pod Camping and Donnewell Farm CL are nearby alternatives - South Agnew makes a solid half-morning outing. Free access, no fees, just turn up and walk. Allow an hour for a gentle circuit, longer if you fancy exploring further into the plantation. Go when it's not soaking wet, ideally, or the paths get a touch boggy.