Cutts Wood

A modest woodland sprawl just outside Newark, Cutts Wood is the sort of place you'll either stumble upon by accident or deliberately seek out if you're keen on a proper forest walk without the tourist bustle of nearby Sherwood. It's ancient oak and mixed broadleaf - genuinely peaceful, the kind of spot where you can actually hear yourself think.

There's no visitor centre or facilities to speak of, which is either its charm or its drawback depending on your outlook. You're here to walk, to breathe in the woodland air, maybe spot some wildlife if you're lucky. The paths are decent enough, though muddy after rain - bring proper boots. Allow an hour or two depending on how far you fancy wandering. No entry fee that I'm aware of, and no crowds to fight through.

Families with restless toddlers might find it a bit samey after thirty minutes, but older kids who actually enjoy a forest ramble will get something out of it. Walkers and wildlife enthusiasts are the real audience here. It works brilliantly as a quieter alternative if you're staying at Center Parcs Sherwood Forest just a mile away - far less manicured, far more like actual woodland.

The nearest town is Newark, which has all the usual services. Go early morning or late afternoon for the best light filtering through the trees, and avoid peak holiday times when the surrounding parks fill up. It's unglamorous and unglamoured, which is precisely the point.