Low Burnhall Woodland Trust

Low Burnhall is a proper woodland walk run by the Woodland Trust, just outside Durham. The site itself is relatively modest - a small parcel of woodland with footpaths threading through, the sort of place you'd pop into for an hour or so rather than make a full day of it. There's nothing flashy here, which is rather the point. You get quiet paths under tree cover, decent for a breath of fresh air if you're based at one of the nearby caravan parks like Grove Farm or Strawberry Hill Farm.

It works best for anyone who wants a low-key woodland stroll without the crowds you'd find at more famous spots. Families with younger kids might get restless after thirty minutes or so, unless they're the type to potter about looking for insects and climbing fallen logs. Walkers will appreciate having it as a quick leg-stretch midway through a longer route around Durham, rather than as a destination in itself.

Because it's Woodland Trust land, there's no admission charge, and you can turn up pretty much whenever daylight allows. No facilities to speak of, so come prepared. The nearest town is Durham itself, just a few miles away, so you could combine this with a visit to the cathedral or a wander around the city centre. If you're camping at one of the surrounding parks, it's handy enough for a morning constitutional before heading elsewhere. Worth knowing about, but not worth detouring specially for.