Coltclose wood

Walk into Coltclose Wood and you're instantly among proper Cumbrian woodland - Douglas firs and native broadleaves rising up either side of well-trodden paths. It's the sort of place that feels genuinely quiet, even on a weekend. The woodland spreads across sloping ground just outside Carlisle, making it a straightforward escape if you're staying at nearby Drybeck Farm or anywhere else in the city.

There's no visitor centre or facilities to speak of, which is rather the point. You come here to walk. The paths are decent underfoot and meander through the trees without any real demands - this isn't fell country, it's gentle forest rambling. Depending which route you pick, you could spend forty minutes or a couple of hours in here. In autumn it's particularly good, though spring when the woodland floor comes alive is just as rewarding.

Families with younger kids will find it manageable enough, though there's nothing to do once you've walked the loops - no playground, no café, no lookout point to aim for. For serious walkers it's a pleasant interlude rather than a destination in itself. History enthusiasts won't find much either, it's simply working woodland rather than heritage site.

Getting there from Carlisle takes barely ten minutes by car. Access appears free, and there's parking nearby. Come on a dry day - the paths can get boggy after rain, and muddy boots will be the only souvenir you're leaving with. Well worth a morning if the weather's on your side.