Glumpsey Wood

A proper woodland walk just a few miles east of Bury Saint Edmunds, Glumpsey Wood is the sort of place that rewards you for getting off the main road. Ancient oak and beech trees form a canopy thick enough to make you forget the A14 exists, even though it's closer than you'd think. The woodland floor is soft underfoot, which makes walking easier but means you'll need decent boots after rain.

This isn't a manicured country park with benches and signage at regular intervals. It's real working woodland - sometimes rough, occasionally boggy, and all the better for it. Walkers will find themselves drawn back, especially those keen on spotting what lives here rather than ticking off views. Families with primary-school age kids will manage fine on the main paths, though toddlers might struggle with the terrain. Allow a couple of hours if you're properly exploring; half that if you just want to stretch your legs.

There's no visitor centre or facilities, so come prepared. It's free to walk through, which is always worth saying. Best visited in autumn when the canopy opens up a bit and you get proper light on the forest floor. If you're staying at Church View Campsite nearby, you've got yourself a first-rate morning walk that beats driving to somewhere more famous. The wood proves that you don't need a big name or a postcode full of Instagram shots to find something worth your time.