Falls Wood

The River Nidd cuts through Falls Wood like someone's drawn a line through dark green velvet. It's a proper walk, this one - steep in places, muddy when wet, but the gorge sides rise up so dramatically that you forget you're only a few minutes from Knaresborough. The woodland itself is ancient-looking: gnarled oaks, tumbling water, moss on everything. There's a footpath that follows the river and picks through the trees, and on a decent day the light filters through the canopy in that way that makes you understand why people romanticise English woodland.

Walkers will absolutely get their money's worth here. It's not a stroll - allow a solid couple of hours if you want to do it properly and actually look around rather than just bash through. Kids can do it, but they need to be reasonably sure-footed; there are steep bits and tree roots everywhere waiting to catch you out. It's free access, which is brilliant, and there's no faffing about with admission fees or opening hours.

If you're based at Knaresborough Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite just down the road, or Woodhouse Farm or Riverside Meadows a bit further out, this makes a cracking half-day outing without having to drive far. Go in autumn or spring when the river's got proper flow and the crowds aren't around. Summer can be a bit sticky and busy. Waterproof boots aren't optional.