Honing Common

The moment you push past the entrance to Honing Common, you're swallowed by proper Norfolk woodland - a tangle of oak and pine that feels a world away from the flat farmland surrounding North Walsham. It's a working forest, managed for timber, so don't expect manicured paths or visitor facilities. What you get instead is authentic, a bit rough around the edges, and all the better for it.

Walking here isn't difficult, but it's absorbing. The tracks wind through dense cover, dappled light filtering through the canopy. Bring a decent map or download a route beforehand - the paths aren't always obvious, and mobile signal is patchy at best. It's the sort of place where you'll hear more birds than people, which is rather the point.

Walkers will get the most from it. Kids under eight might find the lack of facilities and undefined paths a bit frustrating, but older children who enjoy a proper woodland stomp will be fine. There's no admission fee - it's just a case of turning up and finding your way in.

Allow two to three hours for a decent wander. It pairs well with stays at Manor Caravan Park or Golden Beach Holiday Park if you want a bit of forest time between beach days or exploring the quieter Norfolk villages nearby. Early morning visits are worth planning for - fewer people and a better chance of spotting wildlife. Coming in spring or autumn gives you the best light and generally keeps the mud to reasonable levels.