Hillside Plantation

Drive out from York towards the rolling countryside and you'll find Hillside Plantation - a proper working forest rather than some manicured country estate. It's the kind of place where you can actually walk without feeling herded, which makes a refreshing change. The woodland here is mixed, with decent tree coverage that keeps things cool even on warmer days, and the paths meander through sections of managed forestry mixed with older growth.

Walkers will get the most from this. The terrain isn't brutal, but it's not flat either - you're in the Yorkshire Wolds, after all. Expect a solid hour or two depending on which routes you fancy, though you could easily spend longer if you're the type to stop and look at things properly. It's genuinely quiet here. No gift shops, no car park nonsense, just the forest getting on with it.

There's good reason to base yourself at one of the nearby glamping spots - Wolds Glamping Pods or Yapham Holds are both within three miles and give you that forest experience without actually roughing it. The Spinney and Bugthorpe Grange offer something similar if you want slightly more space. From any of these, Hillside Plantation works as a proper morning or afternoon walk that doesn't require a full day commitment.

Do check locally what access is like before you go - it's working forestry, so conditions can change. Worth the detour though if you're after somewhere to stretch your legs without the crowds you'd find at bigger attractions.