Bunny Old Wood

Walking into Bunny Old Wood near Nottingham feels like stepping back several centuries. This ancient woodland is the real deal - a proper survivor from medieval times when forests like this covered far more of the Midlands. The canopy is thick enough that even on bright days you're walking in dappled shade, and the forest floor is thick with leaf litter and moss-covered logs that tell you this place has been largely undisturbed for ages.

It's not a manicured country estate walk. There are established paths, but Bunny Old Wood rewards you for paying attention - bluebells in spring, gnarled oak trees that are genuinely old, and the kind of quiet you don't get near towns. History enthusiasts will appreciate what they're looking at, though there's no interpretation boards or visitor centre to spell it out. You're reading the landscape yourself, which is either brilliant or a bit frustrating depending on your mood.

The wood works particularly well as a half-day venture if you're based at one of the nearby glamping spots - Midshires Way Campsite is only 2.8 miles away, or the Wolds Wine Estate if you fancy combining walking with vineyard views. Allow a couple of hours to properly explore without rushing. No facilities that I'm aware of, so bring water and wear proper boots; the ground gets boggy in places.

Kids get on with it well enough, though under-tens will lose interest if they're after playgrounds and attractions rather than just trees. This is for people who actually like woods.