Burntstump Plantation

Burntstump Plantation sits just outside Nottingham and is exactly the sort of woodland walk you'll stumble upon by accident and then keep coming back to. It's a proper working forest rather than a manicured country estate - tall conifers mixed with broadleaves, quiet trails that don't get rammed with tourists, and the kind of green silence that makes you forget the city's just down the road.

The walking here is straightforward. You can knock out a loop in under an hour or spend a couple of hours wandering the various paths without any real challenge. It's not dramatic scenery - no viewpoints or follies - but that's rather the point. Families with younger kids will manage it fine, and it's ideal if you're looking to tire out dogs or just need some fresh air between other activities.

Best visited on a weekday if you can manage it, when you might see more wildlife and won't be dodging mountain bikers. The autumn colours are decent, though it's pleasant enough year-round as long as you don't mind muddy boots after rain.

If you're staying at New Hall Farm just down the road, this works as a convenient morning or afternoon leg-stretch. It's not the sort of destination that'll dominate your day, but it's worth knowing about - a solid chunk of accessible woodland that actually feels like woodland rather than a tourist tick-box.