Mattie Brown Wood

Walk into Mattie Brown Wood and the noise of York drops away instantly. This is proper woodland - the sort where you actually feel like you've left the city behind, even though you're only a few miles out. Ancient trees crowd the paths, light filters through in patches, and if you're lucky you'll spot roe deer ghosting between the trunks.

It's a walker's wood rather than a playground. You won't find facilities or marked trails in the traditional sense, but that's partly why it works. The place rewards a bit of poking about - you can easily lose an hour or more wandering the various paths that wind through. Early morning is best if you want any chance of wildlife, though honestly the wood is lovely at any time of day when the light's decent.

Families with older kids will get more from it than those with toddlers. There's nothing to do but walk and look, which sounds simple until you realise how rare that is these days. History types might appreciate the sense of continuity - this woodland has probably looked much the same for centuries.

If you're staying at Acorn Glade Glamping or The Spinney Wild Camping nearby, this is an easy addition to a morning's exploring. Free to access, no admission fees, no time limit. Just bring decent boots if it's been wet. You'll want to allow at least an hour, longer if you're actually trying to see something rather than just pass through.