Bagworth Park

You'll spot Bagworth Park just northwest of Leicester, and it's the sort of place that creeps up on you. What starts as a fairly ordinary woodland reserve becomes genuinely absorbing once you're in among the trees and open grassland. The main draw here is the mix of habitats - you've got woodland trails that wind through proper old oak and birch, plus open heath and grassland where wildflowers do their thing depending on the season.

Walkers will find it straightforward without being boring. The paths are generally well-kept and the reserve isn't so vast that you'll get lost, though it rewards a proper explore rather than a quick lap. Birdwatchers and photography types rate it highly - great for spotting woodpeckers, nuthatches, and in spring the whole place buzzes with activity. If you're bringing kids, they'll manage the walking fine, though there's no playground or café to speak of, so bring a packed lunch and expect them to need decent footwear.

It's free to access and works brilliantly as a half-day outing, particularly if you're basing yourselves at Mallory Meadows just a few miles away. Two to three hours is realistic depending on how thorough you want to be. Spring and early summer are your best bets for wildlife and flowers. Late afternoon visits tend to be quieter than mid-morning, which makes a difference if you're keen on spotting anything worth photographing.