Square Plantation

The walk through Square Plantation outside Barnard Castle isn't going to blow your mind, but it's a solid hour's stretch if you're camped nearby and need the kids out of the caravan. It's a working forest - rows of conifers, mostly - rather than some ancient woodland you might be picturing. The paths are well-trodden and easy enough for families with younger legs, though it can get boggy after rain so proper footwear matters.

What you get is straightforward: a chance to walk among the trees without crowds, decent views across Teesdale if you pick the right route, and the kind of quiet that proper resets you after a few days in a tent. It's not dramatic or particularly Instagram-friendly, but that's partly the appeal. Go in autumn and the light through the trees is lovely; summer can feel a bit claustrophobic with all the growth. Winter's fine too if you don't mind the mud.

If you're staying at The Old Armoury or Donnewell Farm, it's basically on your doorstep - worth a ramble before heading into Barnard Castle town itself. Budget 90 minutes if you're not rushing. The forest is free to explore, which helps justify the detour. It's the kind of place you'll have mostly to yourself, especially mid-week, which can't be said for some of the better-known walks in the area. For walkers wanting something low-key and straightforward, it does the job.