Hitch Wood

Walking into Hitch Wood feels like stepping back in time. This ancient woodland sits just outside Hitchin and sprawls across enough acres to lose a couple of hours without trying. The trees are genuinely old - think gnarled oaks and dense undergrowth that makes you feel properly woodland-bound rather than just ambling through a city park.

It's a straightforward woodland walk, really. Paths wind through, though they're not always brilliantly maintained, so waterproof boots are sensible. Wildlife watchers will find it rewarding - birds, squirrels, the occasional deer if you're lucky and quiet. The canopy is thick enough that even on rainy days it feels sheltered, though muddy. Families with older kids who fancy a proper woodland adventure will get the most out of it. Younger children might find it a touch uneventful after the first twenty minutes.

The best time is spring when the woodland floor comes alive, or autumn when the colours actually justify the walk. Summer can be dense and airless. Allow a couple of hours if you're doing the whole thing; forty minutes if you're just pottering about.

If you're staying at Jacks Hill Caravans nearby, this is an easy morning outing before heading into Hitchin proper. It won't change your life, but it's solid woodland walking without leaving the county. Real England, the quiet kind.