Eldon Moor Plantation

Walk into Eldon Moor Plantation and you're immediately swallowed by conifers - it's the kind of forest that makes you feel properly far from anywhere, even though Shildon's just down the road. The plantation covers a decent chunk of moorland above County Durham, with mature evergreens creating this tunnel effect that's oddly peaceful rather than claustrophobic.

What you get here is straightforward woodland walking. The paths are workable, threading through the trees with views opening up occasionally to the wider moorland beyond. It's not spectacularly dramatic, but that's rather the point - this is where you come to clear your head, not to photograph dramatic vistas for Instagram.

Histoy types will appreciate that these forests were planted to replace what had been working moorland. For walkers it's decent enough, though you won't get the long views you might find on the open moor itself. Kids will manage fine for an hour or so, but they won't be running wild screaming with excitement - it's a functional walk, not an adventure playground.

Staying at Eden Grange Glamping just 1.7 miles away, you could easily pop here for a morning stroll before heading elsewhere for something more dramatic. The Gables Pod Camping, five miles off, offers similar convenience. It's the sort of place that fits nicely into a broader holiday rather than pulling you out of your way. Give it an hour and a half if you're thorough, less if you're just stretching your legs.