Emmitt Holt

The woodland at Emmitt Holt, just outside Boston, is exactly what you need when the Lincolnshire flatlands start to feel a bit relentless. It's genuinely forested - proper trees, proper shade, the works - which makes it something of a rarity around these parts. You'll find yourself walking between oak and beech with the kind of quiet you don't get near the coast, and the paths are well-trodden enough that navigation isn't a headache.

It's brilliant for families who want the kids to burn off some energy without needing a destination or a visitor centre. Walkers appreciate it for exactly the same reason - you get decent woodland rambling without the crowds of the Peak District. The forest floor is soft underfoot, which is kinder on the knees than tarmac, and it's the sort of place where you might spot muntjac deer if you're quiet enough.

Allow a couple of hours minimum if you're actually going to explore rather than just pop in for ten minutes. It works perfectly as a break between camping stays at The Layby Lincs or Wood Farm Camping - both within five miles - or as a morning walk before heading to Waites Farm Glamping. Free to wander, no entrance fees, no faffing about.

Bit muggy in summer when the trees are in full leaf, which is either a bonus or a drawback depending on your tolerance for midges. Autumn and spring are genuinely lovely. Winter's fine too if you don't mind the mud.