Linburn Hall Wood

Deep in the woods near Bishop Auckland, Linburn Hall Wood is a proper walk through mature forest - the kind of place where you actually feel removed from things. Ancient trees create a canopy that keeps things cool even on warm days, and the woodland floor is thick enough that you barely hear traffic from the road beyond.

It's brilliant for anyone who wants a straightforward forest walk without the crowds you'd find at more famous Durham woodland spots. History types will find interest in the hall itself - though it's mostly ruins now - but honestly the draw is the walk itself rather than any major structures or visitor facilities.

You're looking at an hour to ninety minutes depending on how thoroughly you explore the paths. There's no charge as far as I can tell, and no facilities on site, so come prepared. Best avoided after heavy rain when the ground gets genuinely boggy in places.

If you're based at Hetherick Caravan Park just down the road, this makes an easy half-day excursion. It won't take up a full day, but it's worth combining with a wander around Bishop Auckland itself or heading to other woodland nearby. The paths are decent but wear proper boots - trainers will leave your feet damp. Go early in the day if you want any sense of solitude, though it's never going to be heaving.