Holton Plantation

You'll find yourself walking under proper tall pines at Holton Plantation, a working forest just outside Market Rasen where the Lincolnshire Wolds start to roll a bit. It's the kind of place where you can actually hear yourself think - no gift shop, no visitor centre, just trees and quiet paths that meander through different age stands of woodland. The plantation itself is commercial forestry, so it's not wild or dramatic, but there's something rather nice about that straightforward evergreen atmosphere, especially if you're after a decent walk without the crowds you'd get at more famous spots.

Walkers will find the most value here. The paths are manageable, and depending on which route you take, you could be done in forty minutes or stretch it to a couple of hours. Children get on well enough with it, though there's nothing specifically designed for them - no playgrounds or interpretation boards - so younger kids might lose interest fairly quickly. Families staying at Station Farm Caravan Site, which is barely half a mile away, practically have this on their doorstep, which is convenient for an easy morning outing.

Go early if you can. Midday brings a few more visitors, but it never gets rammed. The plantation is free to access, and there's no formal car park that I'm aware of, so street parking near the entrance is the way. It works best as part of a broader Wolds day out - combine it with a walk around Market Rasen itself or push on to nearby Wolds View Country Park if you want something with more facilities. Not essential, but decent.