Barnby Fox Covert

Walking through Barnby Fox Covert feels like stepping into the sort of woodland that actually belongs in Nottinghamshire - proper old-growth forest with the kind of quiet you don't get in managed visitor attractions. It's a working woodland near Retford, the sort of place locals know and tourists often miss entirely.

The covert itself is a mixed forest with a decent network of paths threading through. You're looking at straightforward woodland walking - nothing dramatic, no sudden vistas, just the steady sound of your feet on leaf litter and whatever birds happen to be about. It's good for a solid hour's ramble if you're the type who enjoys spotting the woodland edge or watching how the light breaks through the canopy at different times of day. Kids will get something out of it, though they won't find adventure playgrounds or marked trails with interpretation boards.

If you're camping nearby - and there are several parks within five miles, including Clumber Park's options and the smaller Hallcroft Fishery - this makes a straightforward morning or early evening walk. Clumber Park itself is the bigger draw in the area, but Barnby Fox Covert works well as a quieter alternative if you want to avoid the crowds there.

Don't expect facilities. Bring proper footwear because the ground gets boggy in places. Go when you've got a few hours and aren't in a rush. It's not the sort of place that justifies a special trip on its own, but if you're staying locally and want a proper woodland walk away from the beaten track, it does the job well.