Haverbrack Plantation

The woodland around Milnthorpe rewards a quiet walk more than it demands your full attention. Haverbrack Plantation is a proper forest rather than a manicured nature reserve - tall conifers, damp undergrowth, the works. You'll find yourself on well-trodden paths that locals clearly know, which is always a good sign.

It's the sort of place that works best for walkers who don't need a destination, just somewhere to be among trees for an hour or two. Families with restless children might find it a bit samey after thirty minutes - there's no playground or visitor centre, just woodland. History enthusiasts won't find much to grab hold of either. But if you're camped nearby at Fell End Holiday Park or one of the other sites dotting this corner of Cumbria, and the weather's turned, it's a solid backup plan.

The paths are manageable for most fitness levels, though it can get boggy depending on the season. Spring and autumn are probably your best bet weather-wise. There's no entry fee that we can find, and no time limits - you make of it what you will. The whole outing could take anywhere from forty-five minutes to a full afternoon depending on how far you wander. It's the kind of place that serves a purpose rather than becoming a highlight of your trip, but that's not always a bad thing when you're on a caravan holiday and looking to stretch your legs properly.