Grimpsey Copse

A proper woodland walk rather than a destination attraction - Grimpsey Copse sits just outside Northampton and delivers exactly what you'd expect from a small Northamptonshire forest. The trees are decent, the paths are muddy when wet (which is often), and there's genuine quiet if you time it right.

Walkers will get the most from it. The copse isn't massive - allow an hour for a proper look around - but it's the sort of place that feels properly peaceful after you've left the town behind. Families with young kids might find it a bit limited on its own; there's no playground, no visitor centre, just trees and ground. Older children who actually enjoy a forest walk without constant entertainment will be fine.

It's free to access, which helps when you're deciding between this and something more obvious. The real value comes as part of a wider day in the area. If you're staying at Billing Aquadrome or one of the other parks dotted around Northampton - Grendon Lakes and Riverview are both within a few miles - you've got somewhere to stretch your legs without driving far. The holiday parks themselves have lakes and facilities, so Grimpsey works as an add-on rather than a main event.

Go early morning or late afternoon if you can. You'll have the place to yourself, and the light through the trees is actually rather lovely. Worth twenty minutes out of Northampton if you need a proper break from the caravan.