Kings Covert

The moment you step into Kings Covert near Shirdley Hill, you realise this isn't some manicured woodland visitor attraction - it's proper forest, the kind with actual trees and space to breathe. The woodland sprawls across decent acreage with a solid network of paths that don't feel too engineered. You can wander for a good hour or two without hitting a gift shop or an admission kiosk, which is refreshing.

It's ideal if you're staying at Southport Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite, just 2.4 miles away, and you want to stretch your legs without driving half an hour. Families with younger children will find it manageable - the paths are fairly straightforward and the woodland keeps things shaded on hot days. Serious walkers might find it a touch compact if you're after a full day's ramble, but it's the sort of place where you can vary your route and discover different corners on repeated visits.

The forest works well as a morning activity before heading into Southport proper, or as a quiet afternoon escape from the caravan. Bring decent footwear - it does get boggy after rain, and the ground underfoot isn't always predictable. There's a genuine sense of being away from things here, even though you're barely two miles from a major holiday park. No admission fee, no opening hours nonsense. Just forest. That's the appeal.