The Larches

A proper woodland walk rather than a manicured tourist spot, The Larches sits just outside Shildon and delivers exactly what you'd hope for - tall conifers, forest floor quiet, and enough room to actually breathe. It's the kind of place where kids stop asking how long they've been walking because they're too busy spotting birds or jumping over fallen branches.

The forest is straightforward: paths wind through stands of larch trees (hence the name), with decent light filtering through even in winter. It's not dramatic or Instagram-heavy. There are no tea rooms or visitor centres or gift shops. What you get is a proper dose of woodland without the faffing about. Most people will walk it in forty minutes to an hour depending on which route you take, though you could easily spend longer if you're not in a rush.

Family groups will do well here - it's safe enough for confident walkers aged six upwards, and there's real space for them to roam without feeling herded along a rope-off trail. Serious hikers might find it a touch tame, but anyone after a quiet reset or a halfway-decent leg-stretcher will appreciate it.

You're well-placed for the holiday parks nearby. Eden Grange Glamping sits just 1.7 miles away, and The Gables Pod Camping at 4.8 miles gives you proper woodland access without needing to drive to the Lakes. Free to visit, best in spring or autumn when the paths aren't waterlogged.