Broadclose Wood

The woodland around Broadclose Wood, just a short drive from Newark, is proper oak and birch territory - the sort of place where the light filters through in thick golden shafts on a decent morning. You're walking through managed forest here, with well-trodden paths that don't demand hiking boots, and the undergrowth is thick enough to feel genuinely wild without losing you entirely. It's not a destination that'll take your breath away with dramatic vistas or sudden clearings, but it's exactly what you need if you're based at one of the nearby parks - Center Parcs Sherwood Forest is only 4.5 miles away, or Sherwood Castle Holiday Forest if you're after something quieter.

Families with younger kids will get a solid hour out of it, maybe two if they're keen on spotting wildlife. The trails are manageable and the woodland itself feels alive - you'll likely hear more birds than you see, though occasionally a jay bolts across your path loud enough to make you jump. Older walkers and serious nature types might find it a bit samey, all things considered, but it's the sort of place you slip into for a morning ramble between other activities rather than planning your whole day around it.

There's no visitor centre or facilities to speak of, so bring water and check the ground after rain - it gets boggy in places. Free access, naturally. The best time is autumn, when the leaf fall makes navigation easy and the colours are worth the muddy shoes. Go on a weekday morning if you want to feel like you've found somewhere genuinely quiet.