New Covert

Walk into New Covert and you're immediately surrounded by proper Norfolk woodland - tall Scots pine and mixed broadleaves that block out most of the sky. It's a working forest, so don't expect manicured paths or visitor centres; this is the real thing, east of Fakenham, where you can actually hear yourself think.

The forest floor is soft underfoot, carpeted with needles and leaf litter. On a decent day it's a cracking spot for a long walk without the crowds you'd get at more famous Norfolk reserves. Bird watchers come here regularly - you'll spot woodpeckers and the occasional sparrowhawk if you're quiet enough. The paths wind through compartments of different-aged trees, which keeps things visually interesting even in winter.

It's free to access and works brilliantly as a half-day stop if you're based at Breckland Meadows Caravan Park down the road. Families with older kids will enjoy it more than toddlers - the terrain's uneven in places and there's nothing designed specifically for entertainment. Bring proper boots; it gets boggy after rain.

Who gets the most from it? Walkers wanting some solitude, photographers after moody woodland light, and anyone desperate for a break from the flat, open Norfolk farmland. Give it a couple of hours if you're just passing through, but half a day if you want to properly explore the network of rides. Best in spring or autumn when you're not swimming through midges.