Arboretum

The Arboretum sits just outside Lincoln and is exactly the sort of place you'll want to spend a morning wandering if you're camping nearby at Hartsholme or one of the other sites dotted around the area. It's a proper tree lover's spot - acres of carefully planted woodland where you can actually identify what you're looking at rather than just ambling through generic forest.

You'll find specimen trees from across the globe here, laid out in a way that makes sense geographically and botanically. It's the kind of place where you notice things - the way light falls through Japanese maples in autumn, or how a mature cedar dominates an entire corner. Bring a tree identification book if you're into that sort of thing, or just enjoy the peace and quiet without needing to know the Latin names.

Walkers get the most from the Arboretum. There are proper paths that take you through different sections, and it's genuinely restful without being boring. Kids might fidget after an hour unless they're the type to hunt for conkers or build dens. It's not a destination where you need to allocate a whole day, but it slots in brilliantly if you're combining it with other attractions around Lincoln.

Fairly close to Hanworth Country Park if you're after something with more facilities and a café - that's handy if someone needs a sugar injection mid-visit. The Arboretum works best on a clear day when the foliage actually shows what it's doing.