Bitholmes Wood

The woodland walk through Bitholmes Wood is a straightforward affair - you're in the South Yorkshire countryside near Barnsley, winding through decent-sized trees with enough cover to feel properly secluded even though civilisation isn't far away. There's something refreshing about forests where you don't need a map or a degree in navigation. The paths are clear enough, and the canopy does that job it's supposed to do on drizzly Yorkshire days.

This works best for families who want an easy walk without the drama of proper fell terrain, or anyone after a quick breath of green air between other things. It's the sort of place where you spend ninety minutes and feel like you've had a proper break, not an expedition. Don't arrive expecting dramatic vistas or hidden waterfalls - that's not what's here. What you get is a functional, decent wood that does the job.

The wood sits well with a stay at either Boots and Bubbles, the luxury glamping spot a few miles out, or Hoodlands Farm Campsite if you're after something less fancy. Both are close enough that Bitholmes works as a morning or afternoon excursion without hauling yourself across the region. On a decent day the light filters through nicely; on a grey one it's still walkable. No entrance fees that I can find, which at least means you've nothing to lose by giving it a go if you're in the area.