Deal Plantation

Deal Plantation is a working forest east of Eye that offers something genuinely different from the typical Suffolk walk. It's proper woodland - the kind with actual management going on, mature trees and decent paths rather than the manicured stuff you find closer to tourist towns. You can wander the rides for a couple of hours and actually feel like you've gone somewhere, which in the gently rolling Suffolk landscape counts for a lot.

It works best for walkers who want a proper stretch of legs without needing spectacular views. Families with older kids will get on fine - there's enough space to let them run ahead and the terrain is forgiving. But don't come expecting play equipment or tea shops. This is a wood, not a destination.

The nearest caravan parks - Goldings CL and Hill Farm Suffolk, both rated five stars locally, sit only five miles away, making it an easy morning or afternoon escape from a holiday base. Stonham Barns, another top-rated spot at 5.2 miles, adds options if you're looking at longer stays in the area.

Access details aren't well publicised, which tells you something about the place - it's not geared towards visitors, more a working forest that allows public access. Best to check locally in Eye before heading out. Go early if you're after peace and quiet. Late morning gets a bit busier with dog walkers and cyclists. The Suffolk countryside around here is dead flat, so if you're chasing dramatic woodland scenery, you'll be disappointed. But if you want to disappear into actual forest without the crowds, this does the job.