View Lane Park

The woodland walk through View Lane Park near Stanley rewards you with proper views across the Durham countryside - proper being the operative word here. It's a nature reserve that doesn't shout about itself, which is exactly why it's worth the trip.

What you get is a stretch of mixed woodland with footpaths that wind through between mature trees. On a clear day the vista opens up and you can see right across the valleys. The site's managed for wildlife, so you'll spot woodland birds if you're quiet enough, and the undergrowth teems with bluebells come spring.

This is ideal if you're staying at one of the nearby glamping sites like Derecroft - just four and a half miles away - and want a morning or afternoon walk that doesn't demand maps and hiking boots. Two hours will see you round at a leisurely pace. Families with younger kids might find it a bit samey after an hour, but serious walkers and bird enthusiasts will linger longer.

The Durham area around Stanley has enough woodland reserves to fill a week if you're into this sort of thing, so View Lane works well as part of a bigger itinerary rather than a destination in itself. Free access, no gates or visitor facilities to speak of - just turn up and walk. Best avoided after heavy rain when the paths get churned up, but autumn when the light filters gold through the trees is absolutely worth timing your visit around.