The New Forest

The New Forest spreads across North Yorkshire like someone's thrown a green blanket over the landscape, and it's genuinely one of those places where you understand why people bang on about English woodland. Walking here feels different to other forests - older somehow, even if the name's a bit misleading. You're threading through ancient oak and beech, catching glimpses of ponies wandering about (they've got rights to graze here, properly wild), and the whole vibe is wonderfully low-key.

It's brilliant for families who want to let kids loose without worrying they'll run off a cliff. The tracks are gentle, mostly, and there's enough open space between the trees that you don't feel hemmed in. History types will appreciate that this land's been managed as forest since Norman times - William the Conqueror's hunting ground, technically, though it's nothing like the manicured parks you might expect. Walkers should budget two to four hours depending on which route you pick; none of it's particularly demanding, which makes it ideal for people who want a proper woodland experience without the scrambling.

York's close by if you need provisions or fancy something more urban. Staying at Ravensdale Glamping Retreats, just four miles away, gives you that luxury-camping setup while keeping the forest accessible. Early autumn's the sweet spot - fewer midges, decent light, the bracken's turning lovely. Bring layers though; it's damper under the trees than you'd expect.