Riverside Walk

The Riverside Walk in Goole is exactly what it sounds like - a proper stroll along the water with gardens that do the job nicely without any fuss. You get the river itself, which is the main event, planted borders that change through the seasons, and benches positioned at intervals if your legs need a rest. It's the sort of place locals use regularly rather than somewhere that gets written up in glossy magazines, which honestly makes it better.

Walkers will appreciate the flat, easy going - no hills, no scrambling. Families with young kids can let them run about without worrying too much, though it's not a massive playground situation. If you're after something meditative or just need space to think, this delivers. The river views are proper calming, especially towards dusk.

The stretch itself won't take more than an hour or so depending on pace, which fits well into a day trip from the nearby holiday parks. York South Ltd is just 3.6 miles off, making this a decent option for a morning walk before heading elsewhere. Cawood Park and Apple Blossom are both within five miles too, so it works as a gentle addition to a broader holiday itinerary in North Yorkshire rather than a destination in itself.

Go when the light is good - early morning or late afternoon - and you'll get the best of it. Admission is free, which at least means no guilt if you only manage ten minutes before deciding to head to a café instead.