Ashbourne Park

The walk through Ashbourne Park will take you past proper woodland and open grassland on what feels like genuine countryside rather than manicured parkland. It's the sort of place where you'll actually see things - birds, the occasional deer if you're lucky, and plenty of space to breathe without queuing behind school groups.

For walkers, this is straightforward terrain. Nothing dramatic, but it rewards a morning or afternoon poke around. Families with young children won't find slides or playgrounds, so manage expectations there. But if your kids are the type who'll chase rabbits through long grass and climb fallen trees, they'll be entertained enough. Bird watchers should bring binoculars - the reserve attracts reasonable numbers depending on the season.

Ashbourne itself is a proper market town sitting just south of the Peak District, so this park works well as a gentle warm-up or cool-down when you're basing yourself at one of the nearby caravan parks. Callow Top is barely a mile away if you're staying in holiday accommodation, and Carsington Water - only four miles off - offers water activities if you want something more structured another day.

There's no visitor centre or café that I'm aware of, so pack a flask. Free access seems likely given it's a nature reserve, but check locally in Ashbourne before heading out. Allow two to three hours if you're being thorough, less if you just want a quick circuit. Go early or late to avoid the midday crush.