Alderford Common

Head east from Norwich and you'll find yourself on Alderford Common, a proper stretch of open Norfolk heathland that doesn't make much of a fuss about itself. This is the kind of place where you go to walk without seeing another soul for twenty minutes, which in East Anglia is saying something. The common is mostly rough grass and gorse, with a few scattered trees doing their best to establish themselves on the sandy soil. It's genuinely quiet. You won't find visitor facilities or interpretive boards - just space and sky.

Walkers get the most from a visit here, particularly those who enjoy easy ambling across open country without the crowds you'd find at better-known Norfolk nature spots. The terrain is flat and straightforward, making it fine for families with young children who need to burn off energy without the drama of hills. There's something oddly restorative about landscapes that don't try too hard to be scenic.

If you're staying at either Moat Island Glamping or Top Farm Campsite - both within easy striking distance - it's worth dedicating an hour or so to wander the common. Don't expect views or dramatic moments. What you get instead is uninterrupted countryside and the kind of peace that makes you realise why people pay good money for glamping retreats. Go early morning or late afternoon when the light's better and the place feels even more removed from the world.