Stillington Sports and Social Club

You won't find Stillington Sports and Social Club on many tourist radars, and that's rather the point. This is a proper local sports venue on the outskirts of the village, about seven miles north of York, where the emphasis is firmly on community rather than spectacle. It's the sort of place where you'll find everything from football pitches to bowls greens, cricket squares to tennis courts - the backbone of village life, really.

Who gets the most from a visit? Families with kids who fancy a casual game of something, or anyone staying at the nearby caravan parks looking for a low-key afternoon activity. It's not a destination in itself - you won't spend hours here - but if you're based at Ravensdale Glamping Retreats just up the road, or York Meadows further in, it's a handy spot for a bit of exercise that doesn't require driving into York proper.

The catch is that access and opening times vary depending on what's on. It's a working sports club, not a public attraction, so you'll want to ring ahead if you're planning to use the facilities. Entry is almost certainly free if you're just having a look around the grounds, but actually playing anything will depend on membership or booking arrangements.

Truthfully, Stillington makes most sense as a stopping point rather than a destination - somewhere to stretch your legs between exploring York's city walls and the wider North Yorkshire countryside. It's unpretentious and welcoming, but don't expect manicured fairways or cafe culture.