Multi-Use games area

The games area sits within a proper working nature reserve just outside Kirkby Stephen, which means you're getting something genuinely useful rather than just a manicured playing field. It's the sort of place where you can actually see why it exists - the reserve manages the habitat around it, and the court space gets used by locals who know what they're doing.

You get a multi-court setup suitable for tennis, netball, or basketball depending on what's marked out that day. It's not fancy. The appeal is straightforward: if you're staying at Gillcumber Glamping Pods nearby, this gives you an outlet for anyone who gets restless after a day of walking. Families with teenagers especially will appreciate having something to do that doesn't involve another visitor centre.

The real draw is the setting. You're surrounded by the reserve's woodland and grassland rather than concrete and fencing, so even when you're meant to be playing, the walking routes through the reserve itself often prove more interesting. The Pennine Way footpath runs reasonably close by, so this works as a convenient break point during a longer hike.

No idea on admission or whether you need to book ahead - contact Kirkby Stephen tourist information directly. Allow an hour or so if you're actually playing, but honestly, most people spend longer exploring the reserve paths than they do on the courts. Go on a weekday morning if you can; weekends draw the school groups and it gets a bit chaotic.