Dale Wood

Ancient oaks and silver birch create a proper cathedral of canopy just a short drive from Northampton's ring road bustle. Dale Wood offers the sort of woodland ramble that reminds you why the English countryside still draws walkers from their sofas on crisp autumn mornings.

Families with young children will find the paths manageable, though bring wellies if it's been wet - the clay soil here doesn't drain particularly well. Dog walkers seem to have claimed this as their territory, so expect plenty of four-legged company on the main tracks.

The wood itself isn't massive, so don't expect an all-day expedition. An hour's gentle exploration will show you most of what's on offer, including some lovely clearings where bluebells put on quite a show come spring. Photography enthusiasts will appreciate the dappled light filtering through the older trees, particularly in the early morning.

Staying at one of the nearby sites like Lakeview Glamping or Moon Valley Glamping Retreat? Dale Wood makes a decent morning stretch-your-legs stop rather than a destination in its own right. It's the sort of place that works best as part of a wider exploration of Northamptonshire's quieter corners, rather than the main event of your holiday.