Hallcroftmoor Plantation

Three miles outside Castle Douglas, Hallcroftmoor Plantation is a proper working forest that doesn't pretend to be anything else. It's a Forestry Commission site - rows of conifers that have been here since the 1960s, and while it's not the Lake District, it serves a real purpose for anyone wanting a straightforward woodland walk without the crowds.

The plantation is best visited if you're the type who enjoys a quiet forest ramble rather than dramatic scenery. There are paths threading through the trees, and in spring and early summer you'll spot bluebells and hear a fair bit of bird activity. It's free to walk around, which is brilliant. You won't need more than 45 minutes to an hour to get a feel for the place unless you're doing a proper circuit.

Families with younger kids might find it a bit samey - just trees, really - but if you've got walkers in your group or you're after a gentle break between activities, it fills the gap well. The nearby Loch Ken Holiday Park and Brandedleys Touring Caravan Site are both within five miles, making this useful if you're camping in the area and fancy a morning in the woods before heading into Castle Douglas for lunch.

It's the sort of spot where you go because you're staying nearby, not because you'd drive hours out of your way. On a dry day it's pleasant enough. Leave it for heavy rain - the paths get muddy and there's nowhere much to shelter.