Bunkerhill Plantation

Bunkerhill Plantation is a proper working forest just outside Alnwick, the kind of place that doesn't announce itself but rewards a visit if you're already in the area. You get a real mix here - mature woodland, open glades, and the sort of quiet that actually means something when you're trying to escape a busy holiday park.

It's walkers' territory mostly. The trails wind through mixed woodland, nothing too taxing, and it's the sort of place where you might spot deer if you're lucky or at least enjoy the smell of pine and damp earth. Kids will get a kick out of exploring between the trees, though it's not a destination on its own - more a morning's activity when you're based nearby.

The plantation sits just a few miles from several caravan sites - Blossom Plantation and Middlemoor Farm Holidays are closest at four miles, which makes this useful for anyone spending a week in the area. It's the sort of walk you'd do before lunch, then head into Alnwick itself for the castle or a proper meal.

Bring decent shoes if it's been wet - the forest floor gets boggy - and don't expect facilities. No café, no car park to speak of, just trees and quiet. That's entirely the point. It's free, as far as anyone knows, and you can spend an hour or three depending on how far you fancy walking. Worth the detour if you're camping nearby and need somewhere to stretch your legs without crowds.