If you looking for a great free activity and to get the family out for some exercise and fresh air, what better than a woodland walk? Whatever the season (as long as you have the right clothing and footwear!) you can escape the hustle and bustle and soak up the sights and sounds of the woods.
There are so many fun and free activities you can enjoy on a woodland walk with kids. We hope you enjoy one of our woodland walks near York! If you are looking for a day trip, then we’ve listed some amazing woods to visit slightly further afield at the end of this blog.
Here are some fun activities to enjoy when you go on a woodland walk:
🌳 Build a den – see the Woodland Trust website for tips!
🌳 Have a picnic – if you need some inspiration as to what food to pack, see our picnic blog
🌳 Collect twigs, leaves and other ‘woodland treasures’ to make some woodland inspired themed art when you get home. If it’s autumn, we’ve got some great autumnal craft ideas over on our Pinterest Board.
🌳 Go hunting for wildlife – from insects to animals and birds, there will be plenty of wildlife to discover! Why not take some photos of what you find? Or take some binoculars along so you can spot even more things!
This small wood is perfect if you want to go on a short woodland walk with small children. Escape from the hustle and bustle of the roads in this small tranquil spot. There is plenty of wildlife to spot, and once you’re there you will feel like you are miles from anywhere.
Dog-Friendly: Yes
Circular: Yes
Car parking: Park is available nearby
For more information on the Woodland Trust website
Askham Bog is another great one for a short walk and also pushchair/buggy friendly as the main route is made up of boardwalk paths. The bog occupies the site of an ancient lake and is now home of a great range of plants, insects and birds. Roe deer and foxes can also be spotted and if you are lucky you might see some water voles in the pond.
Dog-Friendly: Dogs must be on leads and stay on the boardwalk
Circular: Yes if you stick to the boardwalk paths
Car parking: There is a car park at the entrance of Askham Bog
For more information on the Woodland Trust website
National Trust’s Beningbrough Hall has over 8 acres of fantastic grounds to walk around, including a woodland path. You can also enjoy the Beningbrough Larch Walk by exiting the car park on foot, heading towards the farm shop. This walk is perfect for little legs, as is only 1 mile. More details can be found on the National Trust website here.
Cost: Entrance charges/membership fees apply to enter the Hall’s gardens and house
Dog-Friendly: Dogs (on leads) welcome in the parkland and (on short non-extendable leads) in the garden, except the walled garden and wilderness play area.
🚶♀️Circular: Yes
Car parking: Free parking close to visitor entrance, overflow on the grassed avenue.
For more information see National Trust website
With is plenty of woodland wildlife to discover in Hagg Wood, which is just to the east of Dunnington and about 20 minutes from York. The wood is home to a range of trees including oak and other broad-leaved trees and some large conifers. It’s not huge, so perfect for a family woodland walk that isn’t too long – with a bit of wildlife spotting and stick or leaf collecting thrown in along the way!
Dog-Friendly: Yes
Circular: Yes
Car parking: At the end of Intake Lane
For more information on the Forestry England website
A lovely small wood at the edge of the racecourse. It’s a great place to take smaller children on a mini woodland walk and you don’t need to travel very far to get there! There is plenty of wildlife to look for or listen out for. There is one main footpath down the central lime avenue and an informal path around the perimeter of the wood.
Dog-Friendly: Yes
Circular: Yes
Car parking: Off street parking – please park with consideration for local residents.
For more information on the Woodland Trust website
Moorlands is a Mumbler favourite as it has decent paths and is perfect for toddlers! There are plenty of paths to explore, a pond, a treehouse/bird hide and also some fantastic wood sculptures and a family explorer trail.
Dog-Friendly: No dogs allowed
Circular: Yes
Car parking: Parking is available on the roadside near the entrance
For more information on the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust website
This small wood, located in Haxby, about 6 miles from York is perfect for a short family woodland walk with young children. The wood was created to commemorate the Millennium and has a number of old and mature hedgerow trees and a small pond.
Dog-Friendly: Dogs must be on leads and stay on the boardwalk
Circular: Yes
Car parking: Parking is available on Eastfield Avenue
For more information on the Woodland Trust website
There’s a great mix of trees and a network of informal paths at Wheldrake Wood, so it is the perfect place to escape the hustle and bustle of busy family life and enjoy the woodland together. You’ll also discover plenty of wildlife including deer if you’re lucky. There is also a pond and in spring you can see the rhododendrons in bloom.
Cost: Free
Dog-Friendly: Yes
Circular: NO
Car parking: There is parking nearby at Broad Highway Car Park
For more information on the Forestry England website
Find the nearest woodland walk in York to you on our map.
🌳 Woodland Trust
🌳 North York Moors Walking Guide
🌳 Foresty England walking trails and route
If you want to travel slightly further and make a full day trip of it, then here are some great forests to visit in North Yorkshire.
There is so much to do at Dalby Forest with 13 walking trails, 6 cycling trails, 2 play areas, Go Ape, a visitor centre and the option to hire bikes.
Cost: Mar-Oct parking is £10, Nov-Feb parking is £5
Dog-Friendly: Yes
Circular: NO
Car parking: Onsite – charges apply
🗺 Distance from York: 36 miles
For more information on the Forestry England website
This forest is located just west of Harrogate and you can enjoy a fabulous coniferous canopy as you walk or cycle here. It’s very popular with mountain bikers!
Cost: Free
Dog-Friendly: Yes
Circular: NO
Car parking: Norwood Edge Car Park or Stainburn Moor Car Park
🗺 Distance from York: 33 miles
For more information on the Forestry England website
The largest ancient remaining ancient woodland in West Yorkshire. Fabulous to visit in the spring when the woods are full of spring flowers.
Cost: Free
Dog-Friendly: Yes
Circular: Yes, 3-mile loop
Car parking: Parking available on New Brook Street
🗺 Distance from York: 32 miles
For more information on the Woodland Trust website
Situated on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, Hackfall Wood is a huge woodland area with a steep, rocky gorge of the River Ure. Enjoy wildlife, rustic temples and waterfalls!
Cost: Free
Dog-Friendly: Yes
Circular: No
Car parking: Available on site
🗺 Distance from York: 40 miles
For more information on the Woodland Trust website
Situated on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, Hackfall Wood is a huge woodland area with a steep, rocky gorge of the River Ure. Enjoy wildlife, rustic temples and waterfalls!
Cost: Free
Dog-Friendly: Yes
Circular: Yes, 2 mile circular
Car parking: Available on site
🗺 Distance from York: 45 miles
For more information on the Forestry England website
🌳🌲🌳 We hope you enjoy a family woodland walk near York or even one slightly further afield 🌳🌲🌳