Bradley Dene

The woodland walk through Bradley Dene is a proper gem if you're staying near Stocksfield and fancy stretching your legs without too much fuss. It's a straightforward forest route through northern England's rougher, wilder side - nothing manicured about it, just dense trees, a burn running through, and the sort of peace you come for in Northumberland.

You'll walk through mixed woodland with old oaks and birch, and the dene itself (that's the valley, for those not up on their Old English) offers a nice bit of shelter when the wind picks up off the moors. Most people allow an hour to ninety minutes depending on how far you fancy pushing it. The paths are muddy after rain, which is often, so proper boots aren't optional.

Family groups with children aged seven upwards will enjoy it. Younger kids might find the uneven ground a bit much, and honestly, there's not a great deal to stop and gawk at - it's walking for the sake of walking, which some find meditative and others find, well, a bit repetitive. Bring a dog by all means; they'll have a field day in the undergrowth.

If you're based at Valley View Camping & Glamping just down the road, this makes a brilliant half-day escape. Pair it with a walk up onto the open country beyond and you've got a proper morning sorted. Access appears unrestricted, and it costs nothing.