Nicco Wood

A proper woodland walk just a couple of miles from Shrewsbury, Nicco Wood offers the kind of forest floor experience that rewards a wander off the beaten track. The trees here are thick enough to make you forget you're anywhere near a market town, and the paths wind through sections of mixed woodland with just enough variation to keep things interesting for the mile or so you'll typically spend moving through it.

It's the sort of place that works well for families with kids who actually enjoy walking rather than just tolerating it - there's enough to spot, enough shade on a hot day, and enough room to let them run ahead without losing sight of them completely. Walkers will find it a decent warm-up or cool-down walk if you're staying at one of the nearby caravan parks like Hawk Lake or Lower Lacon, both within a short drive. History buffs won't find much to anchor them here - it's genuinely just woodland - but that's partly the appeal.

Bring proper footwear. The ground can be boggy depending on when you visit, and tree roots are everywhere. Allow an hour or so, maybe ninety minutes if you're moving slowly or stopping frequently. Free to access, as far as we can tell - there's no visitor infrastructure, no car park to pay, just a quiet corner of Shropshire where the trees do their thing. Go early in the day if you want solitude. Late afternoon footfall picks up with dog walkers from town.