Brampton Wood Nature Reserve

Walking into Brampton Wood feels like stepping back in time - you're moving through one of the few remaining ancient woodlands left in Cambridgeshire, and it shows. The reserve covers about 80 hectares of proper mixed woodland, with oak, ash and field maple creating a canopy that blocks out most of the modern world. There are several waymarked trails threading through it, ranging from short ambles to longer loops that'll take a couple of hours. The paths are well-maintained but can get muddy, so decent boots are the order of the day.

It's a nature reserve first and foremost, so you won't find manicured gardens or themed attractions here. What you will find is wildlife - woodpeckers, nuthatches, fallow deer if you're lucky. Spring's when it's most worth visiting, when the woodland floor erupts with bluebells and the birds are nesting and vocal. Summer can feel a bit thick and shadowy; autumn brings decent colour but nothing earth-shattering.

Families with older kids who actually enjoy walking will get plenty from this. Young children might find it a bit samey after 45 minutes. It's free to access and there's a small car park. From Huntingdon, you're well-positioned to string this together with a stay at Grafham Water or one of the other caravan parks nearby - Brampton Wood works as a half-day stop rather than an all-day venture. Good for breaking up a relaxing park holiday if the weather's decent.