Dalby Forest luxury lodge

The lodge sits deep in Dalby Forest, a proper working woodland just outside Pickering that stretches across thousands of acres. This isn't a tourist attraction in the traditional sense - it's accommodation, and a rather upmarket bit at that. You're paying to stay here, not to visit for an afternoon.

What you get is seclusion. Forest on all sides, walking trails threading through the trees, and the kind of quiet that makes you realise how much noise you're normally living in. The lodge itself is built for people who want the countryside without roughing it - think log fire, decent plumbing, proper beds. It appeals most to couples after a break from the everyday, or small groups wanting space to spread out away from the caravan park crowds.

Pickering's just a few miles south, which matters because you'll likely want to grab supplies or eat out. The North York Moors Railway runs from the town too, if you fancy a steam train ride as a day trip.

Falling in with the caravan parks dotted around - Vale of Pickering and Swallowtails are closest at under four miles - this is the quieter, more expensive option. You're paying for privacy and a bit of luxury rather than the communal facilities and lower costs of a standard park. Whether that's worth it depends entirely on your idea of a break. If you can't stand the sound of other people's awnings rustling, this works. If you're after entertainment and company, a busier park might suit you better.