Strensall Common

Three and a half miles round the edge of one of the last lowland heaths in the Vale of York, an hour and twenty minutes of nearly level walking over wet heath, birch scrub and sandy track with a railway crossing to treat with respect. Roadside parking only, in the lay-by at the Common Road level crossing or near the cattle grid where the road enters the common; the number 1 bus from York serves Strensall village half a mile away. Yorkshire Wildlife Trust asks that dogs stay on a lead on the surrounding paths and off the common itself, because this is a nationally important heath with nightjar, woodlark and other ground-nesting birds and the law requires a lead no longer than two metres on open access land between 1 March and 31 July; much of the neighbouring heath is also a live Ministry of Defence training area, so obey the red flags and signs absolutely.