Martin Howe Wood

Martin Howe Wood sits just outside Penrith, a proper working forest that doesn't pretend to be anything fancier than it is. You get mixed woodland - conifers mainly, with enough deciduous trees to keep things interesting through the seasons. There are decent walking trails that wind through the trees without being overly manicured or signed to death, which means you can actually feel like you're exploring rather than following a theme park route.

It's the sort of place walkers will genuinely enjoy, especially if you're after something between a casual stroll and a serious trek. The forest floor is soft underfoot, and in autumn the light filtering through the canopy is genuinely lovely. Families with older kids do well here - younger ones might find it a bit samey after half an hour, to be honest.

If you're camping at Sykeside or Ullswater Holiday Park nearby, Martin Howe Wood makes a solid morning walk before heading elsewhere for the day. It's not a destination in itself - you won't spend more than an hour and a half here - but combined with Penrith's town centre or a longer day exploring the lakes, it slots in nicely. Free access, no visitor centre nonsense, just trees and paths. That's exactly what it should be.

Best visited in autumn or spring when the weather's cooperative and you won't overheat on the trails. Winter can get muddy.