Hartshill Hayes Country Park

The woodland rises sharply from the Atherstone area, and once you're in among the trees, the whole of North Warwickshire seems to drop away. Hartshill Hayes Country Park is a proper forest walk rather than a manicured country park - it's the real thing, with decent footpaths cutting through mixed woodland that feels genuinely wild in places.

The main draw is the height. The park sits on high ground, so the views across the Midlands landscape are worth the climb. On a clear day you get proper sightlines. The woodland itself is mixed - oak, birch, and younger plantings - so it's not monotonously dense, and there's enough variation to keep the eye engaged as you walk. Families with kids aged eight and up will manage the terrain without complaint; younger ones might find the inclines tedious, though it's not a brutal hike.

Allow a couple of hours if you're doing a decent circuit. The paths are well-marked and free to use. Spring is good for wildflowers, and autumn colours are solid. Midweek mornings are peaceful - weekends can get busy with local dog walkers.

If you're staying at one of the caravan parks near Atherstone - Lime Tree or Ettie's Field are closest - this is an excellent afternoon out without driving anywhere. It won't eat up your whole day, but as part of a weekend exploring the area, it's well worth the 20-minute drive. Bring decent boots: the ground gets boggy after rain.