New Park Wood

Walking into New Park Wood feels like stepping into proper countryside - the kind of place where you can actually hear yourself think. It's a working forest near Woodhall Spa, with a good spread of mixed woodland that's ideal if you want to stretch your legs without committing to a full day's hike.

The paths wind through the trees reasonably well, and it's the sort of spot where families with kids won't get bored after twenty minutes because there's always something ahead - a clearing, a different tree type, the occasional bit of wildlife. Walkers get a genuine woodland experience without the crowds you'd find at more famous attractions.

There's no visitor centre or facilities that I can find, so come prepared. It's free to walk, which helps when you're staying at one of the nearby caravan parks like Shortferry or Woodhall Country Park - you can head out for a morning without spending extra. Allow an hour or two depending on which routes you take.

Best visited outside the wettest months, when the paths turn boggy. Early autumn is cracking, actually - the light filters through properly and it's not rammed with summer tourists. Winter's fine too if you don't mind mud.

For a park holiday in the area, this fits well as a half-day outing before heading into Woodhall Spa itself for lunch or a look around. It's not a destination in its own right, but it's exactly the sort of local woodland that makes a caravan break feel less like sitting still and more like actually getting out.