Oak Spinney

Oak Spinney is a proper woodland walk just outside Northampton - nothing fancy, but if you're after a quiet patch of trees and a proper stretch of the legs, it delivers. The forest floor is thick with leaf litter, the canopy closes in overhead, and you get that lovely feeling of being genuinely away from the town despite being within spitting distance of it.

It's ideal for walkers who want something genuine rather than manicured. The paths wind through mixed woodland with plenty of oak - hence the name - and on a clear day the dappled light through the branches is worth the detour alone. An hour here takes you properly off the grid without requiring military-grade navigation skills. Families with kids aged seven and up will get something out of it; younger ones might find it a bit samey after thirty minutes.

You'll find it works well as a morning outing if you're staying at one of the nearby glamping spots - Lakeview Glamping or Bunkers Hill Farm are both within a few miles and make decent bases for exploring this stretch of Northamptonshire. Head there early if you can; midday brings dog walkers and the occasional jogger, which rather breaks the spell.

No visitor centre, no cafe, no ticket barriers. Just woodland. That's rather the point. Check conditions after heavy rain - it can get boggy in places. Free admission obviously, since there's nothing to charge for. Allow an hour minimum, longer if you dawdle.