How Tun Woods

The woodland footpaths through How Tun Woods offer a proper escape from the Lake District crowds without leaving Cumbria. These ancient broadleaf woods rise steeply above Dalton-in-Furness, a genuine maze of beech, oak and hazel that feels genuinely untouched. The walking is straightforward - trails wind through the canopy, dappled light filtering through in summer, muddy underfoot after rain but nothing treacherous.

You'll get the most satisfaction here if you're into woodland ecology or just fancy an hour's ramble away from the honeypot attractions. The views across Morecambe Bay from the higher sections justify the effort, though don't expect panoramic fellside vistas. Spring brings bluebells thick on the forest floor; autumn is when the canopy really shows off. Allow ninety minutes to two hours if you're taking it slowly.

The wood works brilliantly as a half-day stop when basing yourself at High Haume Glamping or Harbour Lights Campsite nearby. It's the sort of place locals know and tourists overlook, which is exactly why it's worth a visit. No café, no facilities to speak of, so bring water. Parking is tight - arrive early if it's a weekend. The woodland air clears your head after coastal walking, and that's the whole point.