The Great Northern Railway Trail

Following an old railway line through West Yorkshire feels like walking through someone else's memory. The Great Northern Railway Trail is a converted rail corridor that runs through rolling countryside near Bingley, transforming what was once the clatter and steam of Victorian transport into a proper peaceful walk.

It's genuinely good for families. The surface is mostly level and well-maintained - you won't need fell boots - and there are enough interesting bits along the way to keep children entertained without constant nagging. The line cuts through moorland and past the edges of woodland, so you get proper views without feeling like you're trudging through a manicured park. In spring the wildflowers are decent, and the exposed stone cuttings remind you this was serious engineering work.

Histor buffs will enjoy spotting the old railway infrastructure: stone bridges, signal posts, bits of masonry that hint at what stood here a century ago. It's the kind of thing that makes you wonder about the people who built it.

Allow a couple of hours minimum if you're doing a decent stretch. The beauty is you can turn back whenever suits you - it's not a rigid loop that forces you to commit to five miles. Free to walk, and completely accessible from Bingley itself. If you're staying at Upwood Holiday Park or Woodsworth Exploring, both within two miles, it's an easy morning or afternoon outing that doesn't require any faffing about with car parks or entrance fees. Winter's actually fine too - the exposed path dries quickly after rain.