Loefield Grove

The woodland around Loefield Grove, just east of Stevenage, is proper walking country - the sort of place where you actually feel like you've stepped away from the commuter belt. The trees are mature and thick enough that you lose sight of the surrounding flatness of Hertfordshire almost immediately. Paths wind through without much fuss, and there's something satisfying about a wood this straightforward: no visitor centre, no café, just you and the greenery.

It works brilliantly if you're staying at Church Farm Ardeley nearby and need to stretch your legs without overcomplicating things. The grove itself isn't vast - you're looking at an hour, maybe ninety minutes if you mooch about - but it slots neatly into a day that includes the holiday park's other facilities rather than being a destination in itself. Families with primary school-age kids will find it manageable; anyone under eight might lose interest once the novelty of mud wears off.

There's not much in the way of dramatic views or heritage signage, so history enthusiasts should manage expectations. What you get is uncomplicated woodland wandering, which is increasingly rare near Stevenage. The access appears to be free, though conditions can get boggy after rain - proper boots are worth the bother. Spring's nicest, when the undergrowth's just waking up and the canopy hasn't closed in completely. Go midweek if you can; weekends pull the casual dog-walkers.