Lord's Holt

Lord's Holt sits just outside March and is the sort of woodland you stumble upon by accident - which is precisely when it's best. The forest floor is carpeted with oak, beech and pine, and on a proper winter's day when the light cuts through the bare branches, it feels properly atmospheric.

It's a straightforward walk-through forest rather than a destination with facilities or organised attractions. There's no visitor centre, no cafe, no clear trails marked out in garish paint. You just turn up and wander. That lack of infrastructure is its charm, frankly. Families with young kids who need constant entertainment will get bored after an hour, but if you've got walkers in the group or anyone who enjoys a bit of quiet forest time, it's well worth the detour from March.

The woodland is free to access - there's no admission fee - and you can spend anything from thirty minutes pottering about to a couple of hours on a proper ramble. Spring and autumn are cracking times to visit when the light is best and you won't overheat while walking.

If you're staying at Knightsbridge Caravan and Marina Park, it's just under five miles away, so easily manageable as a morning excursion before heading to better-known spots elsewhere in the region. Don't expect manicured paths or interpretive boards. This is honest woodland - muddy boots territory.