Mill Spinney

The woodland at Mill Spinney is a proper tonic if you're staying in the Barrow upon Soar area and need a break from the caravan. It's a modest patch of forest - nothing like the sprawling estates you get further north - but it does the job well for a couple of hours' poking about.

You're looking at peaceful woodland paths threading through mixed trees, the kind of place where you might actually spot a deer if you're quiet enough. The canopy's thick enough to keep you cool even when it's warm outside, and there's something about a small wood like this that feels intimate rather than grand. Kids won't be overwhelmed by scale, which is a point in its favour.

The walks are straightforward. Nothing technical, no huge climbs - just gentle ambling between the trees. Spring brings bluebells; autumn's decent for fungi if that's your thing. Summer's leafy and sheltered.

From Hill Top Caravan Park, you're only a short drive away, making this a sensible half-day outing when you fancy getting out of the site without committing to a full day's expedition. The nearby River Soar adds another dimension if you fancy mixing woodland with waterside walks afterwards.

Not a destination in itself, but if you're based locally and want a straightforward wood walk without the bother of traveling far, Mill Spinney delivers. Bring the wellies - the ground can be boggy after rain.