Willwick Hill Plantation

A proper woodland walk rather than a manicured tourist spot, Willwick Hill Plantation sits just outside Brough and delivers exactly what it promises - dense forest, quiet paths, and the kind of place where you can actually hear yourself think. The trees dominate here: conifers mostly, with enough native broadleaf mixed in to keep things interesting across seasons. You're looking at roughly 30-40 minutes for a decent circuit depending on which trails you fancy, though there's flexibility if you've got an hour spare.

This works brilliantly if you're based at William's Den - the holiday park is barely six miles away - and need to burn off some energy without driving far. Kids won't find it flashy, but they'll enjoy the space to roam and the occasional stream cutting through. Dog walkers get genuine value here; the woodland floor is soft underfoot and rarely crowded. There's a genuine lack of facilities, so come prepared with water and a rough idea of where you're heading.

Brough itself is small but functional, and Willwick Hill feels like the kind of place locals know but visitors skip. That's actually its charm. The plantation isn't dramatic or Instagram-friendly, but for a solid woodland stomp on a grey Yorkshire afternoon, it's exactly where you want to be. Free access, no visitor centre nonsense, just forest.