Brownthwaites

You won't find coaching loads turning up at Brownthwaites - it's a proper working forest that happens to welcome walkers, full stop. The woodland spreads across Lancashire moorland near Clitheroe, with a decent network of paths winding through conifer plantations and the occasional clearing where you actually see sky. It's the sort of place where you can walk for twenty minutes without meeting another soul, which is either brilliant or unsettling depending on your mood.

The main appeal is straightforward: it's free, it's accessible, and if you're staying at Calder Farm just up the road - that excellent five-star camping spot barely a mile away - it makes for a crackling half-day out. Families with young kids will get a solid couple of hours here before legs start flagging. Walkers after something more ambitious can string together longer loops, though the paths aren't particularly dramatic or scenic compared to the higher fells you see from the car.

Go in autumn when the light filters through differently, or after rain when the forest floor smells proper alive. Summer's fine but can feel claustrophobic if it's warm. There's no visitor centre, no facilities, no refreshments - bring what you need. Allow an hour minimum for a casual ramble, three hours if you're doing a proper circuit.

It's not a destination in itself, but if you're based nearby for a park holiday, it fills a gap when the weather won't stretch to something grander.