Larch Wood

The larch trees here are proper tall, creating this cathedral-like feel the moment you step inside. It's the kind of wood that actually rewards a slow walk rather than a quick circuit - the ground is soft underfoot, and you'll spot ferns unfurling in spring, patches of moss doing their thing year-round. The light filters through the branches in that particular way that makes you understand why photographers get a bit obsessive about forests.

Larch Wood works best for walkers who aren't after dramatic views or granite cliffs. Families with younger kids will manage it fine - there's space to roam without getting properly lost, and the density of the trees means you're not trudging across open moorland. Older children who like natural history or are into sketching will find plenty to occupy them. Serious hikers might feel it's a bit low-key compared to walks elsewhere in Suffolk, but that's partly the point.

Based near Woodbridge, it slots nicely into a wider circuit of the area - you could pair it with a riverside walk into town itself, which has proper charm. If you're staying at one of the nearby parks like Woodbridge Glamping or Suffolk Sands, this is an easy morning or afternoon venture that doesn't require a car journey. Go when the larch is turning gold in autumn or when the undergrowth is still wet from winter rain - that's when the place feels most alive. Allow a couple of hours if you're taking it seriously, less if you just fancy a stroll.