Little Hay Copse

A proper woodland walk rather than a destination in itself, Little Hay Copse sits just outside Northampton and offers the kind of quiet forest ramble you'll want when you've had enough of the holiday park routine. It's a small pocket of ancient woodland - the sort of place where you notice things. Bluebells in spring, the smell of damp earth, the occasional flash of movement in the undergrowth.

Don't expect dramatic vistas or marked trails with interpretive boards. This is straightforward woodland, good for an hour's amble if you're staying at Billing Aquadrome, Grendon Lakes, or one of the other parks clustered nearby. Families with young children might find it a bit underwhelming unless they're genuinely into nature spotting - there's nowhere to sit, no facilities, and it's easy to cover the whole thing in less time than you'd planned.

Walkers and anyone after a bit of forest air will get something from it, though. It breaks up a caravan holiday nicely, gives you space to breathe, and the trees feel genuinely old. Worth a visit if you're in the area, but don't make a special trip. Best in spring when the woodland floor is alive with flowers, or autumn when the light's proper golden through the canopy.

Free to access. Allow 45 minutes to an hour. No facilities, so bring water if you're making an afternoon of it.