Garden Plantation

The forest at Garden Plantation spreads across decent acreage just outside Thirsk, offering proper woodland walking without the National Trust crowds. It's the sort of place where you can actually hear yourself think - tall conifers mixed with broadleaf trees, paths that wind through without feeling manicured to death.

Walking here suits anyone after a couple of hours away from the car park. Families with primary-age kids will manage the terrain fine, though there's nothing dramatic enough to hold teenagers' attention for long. If you're into spotting native birds or just want air that smells like actual forest, you'll get your money's worth. The paths are clear enough, but bring a decent map - signposting could be sharper.

There's no entrance fee to worry about, and you can knock out a solid walk in two to three hours depending on how lost you fancy getting. Best visited autumn through spring when the undergrowth is less dense and you're not fighting through summer midges.

Staying nearby, Woodland Lakes Lodges sits just 1.8 miles away - handy for walkers wanting a base camp approach. Camp Kátur over at 5.1 miles offers glamping if you want something posher, while Hillside Caravan Park gives you traditional space. Garden Plantation makes a cracking half-day option alongside proper Thirsk exploration, though I wouldn't pretend it's a destination in itself.