Moss Wood

Walk into Moss Wood and you're immediately surrounded by old growth - the kind of forest that makes you forget you're in Lancashire at all. It's dense, properly atmospheric, with moss-covered logs and a canopy thick enough that you'll want to bring a torch even on bright days. The woodland floor is soft underfoot, and there's a real sense of being tucked away from the world, which is exactly what you want from a forest walk near Croston.

This is walker territory, full stop. If your family enjoys getting off the beaten track and doesn't mind a bit of mud, you'll find it rewarding. Kids who are into den-building or spotting woodland creatures will get hours out of it, though there's no playground or formal infrastructure - it's proper forest, not a manicured country park. Allow two to three hours if you want to explore properly without rushing.

Stay at Royal Umpire Caravan Park just 1.8 miles away and you've got an easy base for tackling this. Leisure Lakes, a few miles further out, offers more facilities if you're after camping with a bit more going on. The beauty of Moss Wood is it doesn't require much planning - turn up, lock the car, walk. No admission fees to worry about, no set opening hours meaning you can slip in early or late depending on the light and your mood. Best in autumn when the light filters through differently, though honestly it's worth a visit any time you fancy proper woodland without the crowds.