Hollow Pit Pond

You'll find Hollow Pit Pond tucked away in the flat landscape between Selby and the Vale of York, a modest water body that punches above its weight for a quiet afternoon out. It's the sort of place locals know about and visitors tend to miss, which is precisely what makes it worth seeking out if you're staying at one of the nearby holiday parks.

The pond itself is genuinely lovely for a wander. The water's ringed with trees and rough grassland, creating proper wildlife habitat - you'll spot waterfowl year-round, and in spring the birdwatching can be quite rewarding. There's a footpath around the perimeter if you fancy stretching your legs, and it's completely free to access. On a clear day it's the sort of spot where you can actually hear yourself think.

Families with younger children will get an hour's worth here comfortably; older kids might want to combine it with a longer walk across the surrounding countryside. It's worth timing your visit for late afternoon when the light's best and there's fewer people about.

If you're based at York South, Cawood Park, or Wigwam Holidays Ball Hall Farm - all within five or six miles - this makes a decent half-hour detour on the way to somewhere else. Not a destination in itself, but a proper addition to a North Yorkshire park holiday when you want a bit of nature without the crowds of the major attractions.