Watery Dyke Belt

The Watery Dyke Belt is a proper woodland walk that winds through East Yorkshire's quieter countryside, just outside Brough. It's the kind of place where you'll spot water channels cutting through dense forest - hence the name - and if you're lucky, you might catch sight of woodland birds and the occasional deer picking through the undergrowth.

This isn't a manicured nature reserve with visitor centres and interpretive boards. It's genuine forest, which means it rewards walkers who don't mind muddy boots and aren't after dramatic views. The dyke system itself is what makes it interesting - medieval water management carved into the landscape, now softened by centuries of trees and moss. You'll get a real sense of how the land was engineered long before modern drainage.

Walkers will get the most from it, particularly those who enjoy a quiet forest ramble without the crowds. It's not a destination where you'll spend a full day, but a solid two-hour walk that breaks up a park-based holiday nicely. Families with older kids will manage fine; younger children might find it a bit samey after the first half hour.

If you're staying at Willow Pond Caravan Site or William's Den - both just over two miles away - this is a genuine bonus. Free access, no set hours to worry about, though best visited when the ground's had a dry spell. Go on a weekday morning if you want solitude.