Bell Wood

A proper woodland walk rather than a destination you'd plan a day around, Bell Wood sits just outside Preston and gives you decent cover if the Lancashire weather turns damp. The forest itself is straightforward - mixed woodland with decent tracks running through it, the sort of place where you can actually walk without getting mud halfway up your shins.

It's walkers and dog owners who'll get the most from it. Kids won't be bored exactly, but there's nothing flashy here - no play equipment, no visitor centre, no tea room. It's woodland for the sake of woodland, which some people find refreshing and others find, well, a bit thin on incident. The walks are manageable and quiet, which matters if you're staying nearby at one of the caravan parks dotted around Preston like Orchard Glamping or Gibsons Barn just down the road.

Allow an hour for a proper mooch, longer if you're the type to stop and listen. From what I can tell, it's free access - no gates, no charges - though I'd verify that before you head out. Best in autumn when the light filters through properly, though honestly spring's when the undergrowth feels less suffocating. Summer can feel a bit dark and claustrophobic beneath the canopy.

If you're based at Claylands or North View for a wider Lancashire park holiday, this works as a companion walk, not a main event. Pair it with a proper outing to somewhere with more structure, and it slots in nicely for a morning stretch of the legs.