Gillford Park

A proper bit of Cumbrian countryside just outside Carlisle, Gillford Park is a nature reserve that punches above its weight. The walking trails here wind through woodland and open grassland with decent views across the surrounding landscape - nothing dramatic, but genuinely pleasant on a clear day.

It's the sort of place where you'll actually spot something worth stopping for: buzzards, woodpeckers if you're lucky, and in spring the bluebells do their thing properly. The trails are well-maintained and mostly flat, making it accessible for families with young walkers, though there are enough loops to keep you occupied for a good couple of hours if you fancy it.

Really suits walkers who aren't after Lakeland peaks but want something green and quiet. The reserve works brilliantly as a morning outing before heading elsewhere - or a wind-down walk after a few days of more strenuous hiking. Free to wander around, which is a bonus.

If you're staying at Pasturewood Holidays' glamping pods nearby - and those hot tubs look genuinely tempting after a day out - Gillford Park makes an easy local walk without needing to drive far. It's the sort of location you'll visit once and find yourself returning to without planning it, rather than a destination that'll hold your attention for a full day. But that's rather the point of a decent nature reserve.