Wooldale Park

The moorland around Holmfirth keeps its secrets well, and Wooldale Park is one of them. This 34-hectare nature reserve sprawls across the South Yorkshire uplands with a genuine wildness to it - the sort of place where you're likely to spot curlew, lapwing, and if you're lucky, mountain hares bounding through the heather. The walking here is proper, with good trails threading through open moorland and woodland, but nothing too taxing.

It works best for people who actually enjoy being outdoors rather than ticking boxes. If you're after a short stroll with views and maybe a spot of birdwatching, reckon on two hours maximum. Families with older kids will get something out of it; younger ones might find the lack of facilities and open terrain a bit much. The reserve isn't crowded, which is precisely the point - you come here for the space and the chance to see proper upland habitat.

Camp at either Whitegate Leisure or Thurlmoor Farm, both excellent bases just a few miles away. The reserve fits well into a broader walking holiday around Holmfirth - you can link it with other moorland walks in the area without much faffing about. Admission appears to be free, and there's no formal opening times since it's a nature reserve rather than a visitor attraction. Go early morning for the best wildlife viewing, and bring decent waterproofs. This moorland doesn't forgive sloppy preparation.