Hanging Wood

You'll want proper walking shoes for Hanging Wood - it's a genuine woodland experience just outside Doncaster, with steep paths that wind through dense forest where you can actually hear yourself think. The woodland is thick with old trees and surprisingly quiet given how close it is to the town, which makes it rather good for escaping the usual park routine.

The paths are well-trodden and manageable if you're reasonably fit, though there are some proper climbs. Most people spend between one and two hours here, depending on whether you're just after a quick loop or fancy exploring deeper into the wood. Children who are used to woodland walks will get on fine, though very young ones might struggle with the inclines.

It's free to access and open whenever - standard forest stuff. What you're after here is the walk itself rather than any particular destination. The trees create a lovely canopy, especially in spring and autumn, and on a decent day it's the sort of place that reminds you why you came to South Yorkshire in the first place.

If you're staying at Sunnyview Touring Park just down the road, this makes an excellent morning outing before you head back for lunch. It's not flashy or famous, which is precisely why it works. No crowds, no facilities, just a proper wood with proper paths. Worth the detour if you're a walker; probably not if you're after something more manicured.