Park Clump

The woodland at Park Clump, just outside Bishop Auckland, is a proper little respite if you're after a straightforward walk without the crowds. It's managed as a nature reserve, so you get the sense that someone's actually looking after the place - the paths are clear enough, and in spring the whole thing comes alive with birdsong.

What you're getting here is accessible woodland walking, the sort where you can knock out a decent loop in 45 minutes without breaking a sweat. There's nothing spectacular about it - no dramatic vistas, no rare orchids jumping out at you - but that's rather the point. It's the kind of place where you actually notice things: moss on the north side of trees, roe deer if you're quiet, the smell of damp earth after rain.

Families with younger kids will find it manageable, though there's not a huge amount to stop and gawp at. Serious birdwatchers will get more from it than most. If you're staying at Hetherick Caravan Park - just four miles away - it makes a sensible morning's outing before heading into Bishop Auckland proper for lunch.

The reserve works well as part of a broader exploration of the area. It's not a destination in itself, more a proper bit of woodland to stretch your legs through when you're based nearby. Free access, as far as I can tell, though facilities are minimal. Go on a weekday if you want peace and quiet.