Swindon Wood

The woodland around Swindon Wood near Wetherby is proper walking country. Dense trees, good paths, and the kind of quiet you don't get in towns - it's the sort of place where you actually hear birds rather than traffic. The forest itself isn't enormous, but it's well-maintained and there's enough cover to make even a drizzly Yorkshire day feel pleasant.

Walkers will get the most from it. The terrain is straightforward enough for families with kids who can manage a couple of miles, though pushchairs would struggle on some stretches. You're looking at an hour or so to do a decent circuit, longer if you meander and stop for photos. There's no visitor centre or facilities to speak of - it's just woodland, which is exactly why some people love it.

What makes Swindon Wood work well is its proximity to the holiday parks around Harrogate. Maustin Park is barely twenty minutes away, and Rudding Holiday Park even closer. If you're staying at any of the caravan parks in the area, this is a natural spot to fill a morning or afternoon when the weather's cooperating. It's not a destination that demands a day trip from across Yorkshire, but it's absolutely worth knowing about if you're based nearby.

The best time is spring or autumn when the woodland floor changes character - either carpeted with bluebells or crunching with leaves. Bring proper boots though; it gets muddy.