Thorsgill Wood

The woodland around Thorsgill, just outside Barnard Castle, is one of those places that rewards a bit of wandering. It's not a formal attraction with a visitor centre or marked trails - more a proper wood where you can actually get lost in the trees without crowds. The streams that run through here are the real draw. There's a sense of being properly remote, despite being minutes from town.

Walkers will get the most from it. The ground can be boggy in places, especially after rain, and there are no manicured paths, so it's best tackled in decent boots and dry weather. Allow a couple of hours if you're making a morning of it. You won't find interpretive signs or facilities here - bring water, a map, and a bit of self-reliance. Free to access, obviously, since there's nothing to pay at.

It slots well into a Teesdale walking holiday. Barnard Castle itself is worth half a day - the castle ruins are genuinely impressive - and you've got the Pennine Way and numerous fell walks within an hour's drive. If you're based at one of the nearby campsites like Teesdale Barnard Castle or Barnard Castle Camping and Caravanning Club Site, Thorsgill makes a decent half-day leg-stretch rather than a destination in itself. The wood is best for serious walkers who enjoy navigation and a bit of solitude. Families with young children will find it a slog - there's nothing to keep them entertained beyond splashing in water.