Middle Wood

Middle Wood sits just inland from Bridlington, a proper working forest rather than the sort of manicured woodland you find near city centres. The main draw is straightforward - a network of walking trails threading through mature trees, with enough variation to keep you occupied for anything from 45 minutes to a couple of hours depending on which route you take.

It's the sort of place where families with younger kids will get a solid hour out of it before someone asks how much longer. The woodland floor is relatively even, so you're not battling through bog or scrambling up hillsides. That said, it's not a theme park - if your children need constant stimulation, they'll flag quickly. Walkers and anyone after a bit of fresh air between beach days will find it genuinely useful.

The real value is proximity. You're only five or so miles from Haven Thornwick Bay Holiday Village, which means it works brilliantly as a half-day outing when the seaside gets tiresome or the weather turns damp. Pop in for a walk, grab some air that doesn't taste of seaweed, then head back for lunch. There's something reassuring about actual woodland when you've spent the morning on shingle.

Bring wellies regardless of the forecast - these Yorkshire forests don't dry out quickly - and don't expect facilities. It's forest, not visitor centre.