Hamsterley Forest

Walking into Hamsterley Forest feels like stepping into proper woodland - tall conifers everywhere, dappled light, the sort of place where you can actually breathe. It's a working forest managed by Forestry England, spread across the Wear Valley near Bishop Auckland, with a network of trails ranging from gentle riverside strolls to proper leg-burners up through the trees.

The main draw is the variety. You've got the Pennine Way passing through if you're serious about distance, but equally there are shorter loops around the valley floor that won't leave you wrecked. The river walk is lovely - Wear River threading through, which keeps things interesting for kids who get bored staring at trees for hours. The forest gets busy on weekends, particularly Bank Holidays, so go midweek if you can.

Families get the most from this spot. The terrain is manageable, there's a car park at the entrance (makes life easier), and a visitor centre with the essentials - loo, information, that sort of thing. Walkers obviously love it too. Cyclists have dedicated routes as well. Admission is free, which is a massive bonus. Allow anything from two hours for a casual loop to a full day if you're tackling the longer routes.

If you're staying at one of the caravan parks nearby - Stag Park is only 2.5 miles away, Bradley Burn slightly further - this makes an excellent afternoon out without driving anywhere. It fills the gap between a half-day activity and a proper expedition nicely.