Kathleen Starkey Wood

The woodland around Kathleen Starkey Wood offers a proper escape if you're staying near York. It's a small forest patch - nothing vast, but enough to get lost in for an hour or so without feeling you've tramped miles. The trees are thick enough that you can't see the surrounding farmland, which is the whole point really. Locals use it for dog walks and quiet afternoon strolls, and frankly that's all it needs to be.

The ground can get boggy after rain, so decent boots make sense. There's no visitor centre or facilities that I'm aware of - just trees and a few paths threading through. Kids might find it bit underwhelming if they're expecting something more structured, but if you've got restless teenagers who need burning off energy, let them loose. It's peaceful rather than dramatic.

If you're based at Bugthorpe Grange Glamping six miles away, this is ideal for a morning sortie before heading into York itself for the heavier attractions. You won't need more than two hours here, so don't block out a whole day. Go early if weather's meant to turn - the trees offer shelter but the paths turn into channels when it's wet. Spring and autumn are probably your best bet, when the light filters through properly and you're not battling flies or muddy bottoms.