Newberry Grove

A proper woodland walk east of Hitchin, Newberry Grove is the sort of place you'll stumble upon and wonder why you haven't been before. Ancient trees, carpet of woodland floor that's soft underfoot, and enough quiet to actually hear yourself think. The forest sprawls across good acreage, with paths that wind through beech and oak without feeling manicured or too managed.

It's ideal for walkers wanting something beyond a park stroll - there's genuine forest here, the kind where light filters through rather than blazes down. You'll get a solid hour, maybe two if you're in no rush and fancy sitting on a log for a bit. Families with kids old enough to manage uneven terrain will find it engaging; younger ones might lose interest once the novelty of trees wears off. The woodland's also good for anyone chasing that woodland photographer moment - particularly in spring when the green is almost luminous.

No facilities that I'm aware of, so bring water and don't turn up expecting a café. The ground can be muddy after rain, so proper footwear matters. It's close enough to Radwell Lake campsite that you could easily combine the two - twenty minutes' drive from base, making it a solid half-day outing. The forest works best in autumn when the light's better and you're not battling high summer heat and insects. Well worth the detour if you're camping in the area and fancy something quiet.