Follyhouse Plantation

You won't find crowds at Follyhouse Plantation, which suits the place down to the ground. This forest sits quietly near Morpeth, offering proper woodland walking without the theatre of some of the region's bigger draws.

It's a straightforward affair - mixed woodland with decent paths winding through. The trees themselves are nothing extraordinary, but there's something genuinely peaceful about it. No gift shops, no visitor centre, no crowds queuing for photos. Just forest, which is rather the point.

Walkers get the most from this one. Allow a couple of hours for a loose circuit, depending on fitness and how much you fancy pottering about. The terrain's gentle enough for most abilities, though it's muddy when it rains - this is Northumberland, after all. Families with young children might find it a bit samey after the first hour, unless yours are the type who enjoy spotting birds and picking up sticks.

The real value here is proximity. If you're based at Bockenfield Country Holiday Park nearby, Follyhouse makes an easy half-day outing when the weather plays ball. It's the sort of place to stretch your legs between bigger attractions rather than the main event of a day out. Free to access, no faffing about with opening hours or gates - just turn up and walk. Honest woodland, in other words.