Foxley Wood

Ancient woodland in the heart of Norfolk - that's what Foxley Wood is, and it's genuinely one of the few remaining stretches of what this whole county once looked like before farming took over. You're walking through coppiced trees that have been managed the same way for centuries, with a proper woodland floor carpeted in bluebells come spring and enough birds to keep any twitcher happy year-round.

The reserve sits just east of Bylaugh, so it's easily accessible if you're based at Bylaugh Country Park Caravan and Campsite or one of the glamping spots nearby like Ashcroft or Moat Island. There are footpaths threading through - nothing too demanding, though the ground can be muddy after rain and you'll want proper boots. Bring binoculars. The nightingales are exceptional in May, and if you're lucky you'll spot green woodpeckers and nuthatches.

It's not a spectacle in the way that, say, a ha-ha or folly is. There's no café, no facilities, just trees and the sound of actual woodland. That's precisely why it works. Families with young kids might find it a bit ropey - there's not much to see and do if you're under eight and impatient. But walkers, naturalists and anyone who wants to understand Norfolk's ecological heritage should absolutely make the trip. Free access, and you can spend anywhere from forty-five minutes to three hours depending on how you want to explore.