Cribb's Meadow

A modest riverside stretch just outside Oakham that punches above its weight if you know what you're looking for. Cribb's Meadow is the sort of place locals head to for a proper walk rather than a day trip destination, and that's precisely why it works.

The meadow runs along the water with decent views across the valley - nothing jaw-dropping, but genuinely pleasant on a clear day. You get a real sense of the Rutland countryside here, rolling and unhurried. The paths are straightforward enough for families with younger kids, though the terrain can get boggy after rain, which is worth knowing.

Walkers will find this more rewarding than the casual passer-through. The meadow connects into a decent network of routes if you've got an OS map and two hours to spare. History buffs won't find much in the way of markers or interpretation, so come for the landscape rather than the story.

If you're staying at Greendale Farm Caravan & Camping Park six miles away, this is exactly the sort of quiet morning walk that makes a caravan holiday actually feel like a break. Free and accessible, though you'll want to check the ground conditions before dragging the toddlers out in winter. The light does something lovely here in late afternoon - worth timing your walk around that if the weather cooperates.