Stolerston Wood

The woodland walks at Stolerston Wood near Leyburn deliver exactly what you'd hope for from a North Yorkshire forest - proper shade, decent footpaths, and enough peace and quiet to actually hear yourself think. It's the sort of place where you can spend a couple of hours wandering without needing a detailed map, though bringing one helps if you want to explore the quieter corners.

The wood itself isn't vast, which works in its favour. You get real forest atmosphere without the sense of being lost for hours. The paths wind through mixed woodland and there are a few decent viewpoints if you pick the right route. Families with younger walkers will manage fine here - it's not too demanding, though boots are sensible if there's been recent rain.

Walkers get the most out of this. Birdwatchers too, particularly in spring. If you're staying at the nearby Park Leisure holiday park just outside Leyburn, it's a straightforward drive and worth combining with a proper walk elsewhere in the Dales. The wood itself won't fill a whole day unless you're the type to sit on a log with a flask for an hour, but it's exactly the kind of accessible green space that makes a holiday feel proper rather than structured.

Going midweek keeps it quieter. Weekends can get busier with local dog walkers, which is fine if you like company, less so if you don't. There's no charge that I'm aware of, and no facilities on site, so plan accordingly.