Hedgerow Spinney

This small woodland sits a few miles outside Kettering and works best as a quick leg-stretch rather than a destination in itself. The trees are dense enough to feel proper woodland - you're not walking through a park here - and there's enough ground cover to keep things interesting for an hour or so. Paths wind through, though they can get boggy depending on the season, so decent boots are wise.

It's the sort of place dog walkers and families with younger kids will get genuine use from rather than something that'll occupy serious hikers for long. The canopy closes in nicely, which means it's lovely and cool on hot days. Wildlife spotters might see various birds and the odd deer if you're quiet about it.

Stay long enough for a woodland walk, grab some fresh air, then crack on to something else. There's no facilities here - no car park information readily available, no visitor centre, nothing like that. This is raw woodland, which has its charm but means you need to know what you're getting. If you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Get Lost In Nature is closest at under four miles - it makes for a convenient morning outing without overstaying your welcome. Worth the detour if you're in the area and fancy a proper walk under the trees, but don't plan an afternoon around it.