Craig Cliff Wood

A steep woodland walk above Whitby that rewards you with proper views across the coast. Craig Cliff Wood isn't a manicured forest - it's a real patch of North Yorkshire scrub and trees clinging to cliffside, with paths that get muddy and branches that occasionally whack you in the face. Worth it though.

The walk itself takes a good hour if you're doing the circuit properly, picking your way through the woodland and emerging at points where you can see right down to the sea. It's the kind of place where you'll spot red squirrels if you're lucky, and the air smells like proper forest - damp earth and pine. The paths are well-trodden but uneven, so proper walking boots aren't negotiable.

Families with young kids might find it frustrating - there's no obvious loop trail, and the terrain is demanding. But teenagers who like a bit of scrambling about, or anyone after a decent coastal walk without the crowds, will get hours here. It connects to other woodland trails in the area if you want to make a longer day of it.

There's no visitor centre or facilities, so bring water and snacks. Free to access, and no set opening hours - it's just woodland. If you're based at Broadings Farm Caravan Site nearby, you could easily knock this out in a morning before heading into Whitby proper for fish and chips.