Horse Bank Wood

Deep paths wind through this proper working woodland just outside Bishop Auckland, where ancient oaks stand shoulder to shoulder with younger birch and beech. Horse Bank Wood isn't your manicured country park - it's the real deal, complete with muddy tracks that'll test your walking boots and fallen logs that make perfect impromptu seats.

Walkers looking for a peaceful hour or two will find plenty to explore here. The woodland feels genuinely wild, though clear paths prevent you getting properly lost. Families with older children who don't mind a bit of rough terrain will enjoy the adventure of it all, though pushchair access is definitely out of the question.

Birdwatchers come prepared - the mix of deciduous trees attracts a decent variety of species, particularly in spring when the canopy fills out. The woodland floor in April and May can be lovely with bluebells, assuming you time it right.

From holiday parks like Stag Park Caravan Site or Bradley Burn, it's an easy drive for a morning woodland walk. Allow a couple of hours if you want to explore properly, though you could easily spend longer if you're in no hurry. The wood connects to other footpath networks, so keen walkers can extend their route considerably. Just remember proper footwear - those paths can be properly slippery when wet.