Bondman Hay

Ancient woodland proper close to Leicester - Bondman Hay feels like you've stepped back a couple of centuries the moment you enter. Towering oaks and beech trees create a thick canopy overhead, and the ground's soft with leaf litter year-round. There's something about walking through here that makes you forget the city's just down the road.

It's genuinely excellent for families with older kids and serious walkers. Little ones might find it a bit samey after twenty minutes - there's no playground or visitor facilities that we could find. Bring a packed lunch if you're planning a proper morning here. The woodland's free to wander, which is the main draw, and you can easily spend an hour or two getting lost on the various paths without paying a penny.

Winter's actually the best time. Autumn's pretty enough, but once the leaves drop you can see the structure of the woodland properly - the way the old trees grow, the occasional clearing. Spring's decent too if you're into bluebells, though nothing compared to dedicated woodland reserves.

Stay at The Dandelion Hideaway just down the road and you've got a cracking base. Five miles from Bondman Hay, the glamping's proper done up and highly rated. Bosworth Caravan Park's nearer at five miles as well if you want something simpler. Either way, you're close enough for a morning ramble before heading elsewhere. Not life-changing, but solid woodland walking on your doorstep.