Cow Hollow Wood

A proper woodland walk just outside Cambridge, Cow Hollow Wood offers the kind of escape you need after spending time in the city centre. The trees are dense enough to feel genuinely remote, even though you're only a few miles from the colleges and punts. Paths wind through mixed woodland - oak, ash, the usual suspects - and it's peaceful without being pretentious about it.

Walkers will get the most from this place. It's not a quick stroll; give yourself a good hour to properly explore without rushing. Families with younger kids might find it a bit samey after twenty minutes or so, unless they're the type who enjoy spotting birds and hunting for fallen logs. The paths are manageable underfoot, though muddy patches after rain are guaranteed.

There's no visitor centre or facilities that I'm aware of, so come prepared - bring water if you're planning a proper wander. It's the kind of spot to visit when you want to reset the head without driving far afield, especially if you're based at Chittering Park or Fen End Farm up the road. Both are solid bases for Cambridgeshire exploration, and this wood slots nicely into a day combining countryside with the city itself.

Best visited on a weekday if possible. Weekends draw the local dog-walking crowd, which is fine, but the peace factor drops noticeably.