Towton Spring

The spring itself is modest - a small pool of clear water emerging from the woodland floor near Towton, just outside York. But what makes it worth seeking out is the walk through proper Yorkshire forest to get there, ancient trees creating a cathedral-like quiet that feels miles from the city.

This is walker territory, full stop. The terrain isn't demanding, but it's not a quick five-minute stroll either - allow a good hour minimum to explore the woodland properly and locate the spring itself. Families with younger kids might find the unmarked paths a bit fiddly, and you'll want decent boots after rain when the ground turns boggy. History buffs will get an extra kick from being near the Towton Battlefield site, one of the bloodiest medieval confrontations in English history, though the spring itself predates all that carnage by centuries.

The woodland's particularly good in autumn when the beech and oak turn colour, and it's quieter than the busier parks around York. Free to access, naturally. If you're based at Cawood Park or York South Ltd for a proper holiday, it makes an excellent half-day excursion - somewhere to stretch your legs and actually breathe instead of queueing at attractions. The spring won't stop you in your tracks, but the walk through the forest will remind you why people bother with the countryside at all.