California Wood

Drive inland from Alnwick and you'll stumble into California Wood - a proper forest that feels worlds away from the coastal rush. It's a straightforward woodland walk rather than a destination with visitor facilities or cafe culture; what you're after here is peace and decent air. The trees are thick enough to lose an afternoon, paths weave through without much fanfare, and it's the sort of place where you actually hear birdsong instead of tourists.

For walkers, this is genuine value. You won't find manicured trails or interpretation boards telling you what you're looking at - it's just woodland as it should be. Families with older kids who don't mind a proper tramp through the trees will appreciate it more than those expecting playground facilities. Bring decent boots if there's been rain; it gets boggy in patches.

The real strength is how it slots into a Northumberland park holiday. Staying at one of the nearby options - Middlemoor Farm Holidays or Doxford Farm Camping are both well-rated and within five miles - gives you a base for exploring the wider area without feeling trapped in a caravan park. You're close enough to Alnwick itself if you want proper shops and restaurants, but far enough out to feel genuinely rural.

Allow two to three hours if you're doing a proper circuit. It's free, naturally, and open whenever you fancy a walk. Best visited outside peak season when you might actually have the place to yourself.