The Dell

The Dell is a proper bit of woodland just outside Doncaster - the sort of place locals know about but most tourists miss entirely. It's a forest walk through mature trees with a stream running through it, nothing flashy, but genuinely pleasant if you're after some quiet time among the greenery. The paths are well-maintained and straightforward, though they can get muddy after rain, so decent boots aren't a luxury here.

Walkers will get the most from it. It's the kind of place where you can actually hear birdsong and forget you're near a town. Kids can splash about in the stream if it's running well, though don't expect dramatic waterfalls or anything theatrical. Most people spend forty minutes to an hour here depending on how many times they stop to potter about.

The real value is as a break from driving if you're based at Sunnyview Touring Park nearby. It's only 2.5 miles away, so works perfectly as a mid-afternoon leg-stretch rather than a destination in itself. Admission appears to be free, which is always welcome. Go mid-week if you can - weekends bring families out en masse and the peace rather evaporates. Winter's actually pleasant here when the light filters through bare branches, though spring and early autumn are softer on the eye. It won't blow your mind, but it's honest woodland and does exactly what it says on the tin.