Maddison's Carr

Norfolk's woodland walks don't get much better than Maddison's Carr, a proper slice of ancient forest just east of Great Yarmouth. It's the sort of place where you can actually hear yourself think - no crowds, just trees, footpaths, and the occasional flash of wildlife if you're lucky.

The carr itself is what locals call these lowland woodlands, and Maddison's is the real deal. Walking through, you'll find yourself on decent paths winding between mature trees, with sections that open out onto marshy ground where the whole ecosystem shifts. It's genuinely wild without being inaccessible. The light filters through in that particular way that makes you remember why you came to Norfolk in the first place.

This works brilliantly for families who want their kids to actually explore rather than queue, and walkers will appreciate having proper trails without the tourist traction. Birdwatchers should pack binoculars - the mix of wet woodland and open areas attracts proper variety. Allow a good two hours minimum if you want to do it justice, though you can do a shorter loop in 45 minutes.

Stay at one of the nearby parks - Haven Wild Duck or Broadland Sands are closest - and you've got somewhere genuinely different to escape to between beach days. It's free and unfussy, the kind of walk that Norfolk does better than anywhere else. Go when it's not been raining for days unless you fancy mud up to your knees.