Eydon Park

The woodland paths at Eydon Park wind through proper old-growth beech and oak - the sort of trees that make you feel small. It's a genuine nature reserve rather than a manicured country estate, which means you get genuine wildlife: woodpeckers, nuthatches, and if you're lucky, fallow deer moving through the undergrowth.

The walk takes you through mixed woodland with decent variation in terrain. Some sections are well-trodden, others feel more adventurous. Allow a couple of hours if you're pottering about with binoculars; thirty minutes if you're just after a brisk loop. The paths can be muddy after rain - proper country walking boots recommended.

This works brilliantly for serious walkers and birdwatchers. Families with school-age kids will get something from it, though it's not a destination in itself - more a welcome woodland break during a longer Northamptonshire visit. Small children might find the lack of facilities or obvious focal points underwhelming.

It's about four miles from Coleman's Hill Campsite, making it a genuine bonus for anyone staying nearby. Combine it with walking around Banbury, just south, or the canal towpaths that crisscross the area. The reserve sits in proper walking country, so it slots in well alongside the broader landscape rather than standing alone.

Access is free, which is refreshing. Go in spring for birdsong or autumn for the colour.