Old Poor's Gorse

Thick woodland with a proper maze of footpaths - that's Old Poor's Gorse in a nutshell. You won't find much in the way of facilities or fanfare here, which is precisely why it works. The forest sits just outside Kettering and delivers the kind of walking where you actually feel removed from things, despite being minutes from town.

The paths wind through mixed woodland - mostly oak and beech - with decent surface underfoot for most of the year. It's the sort of place where you can easily spend two hours pottering about, or knock out a brisk forty-minute loop if you're after something quicker. Walkers get the most out of it, honestly. Kids might find it a bit samey after the initial novelty of the trees wears off, though there's something to be said for letting them run loose on the quieter tracks.

Come on a crisp autumn morning when the light filters through properly, and you'll understand why locals rate it. Summer's fine too, but the woodland can feel a touch oppressive in deep shade. Winter walking here is excellent - the paths don't waterlog badly and you can actually see through the trees.

Free access, naturally. No gates, no kiosks, just pull up nearby and get walking. If you're staying at Moon Valley Glamping Retreat just down the road, this makes a solid neighbouring option to vary your days - close enough to nip to between other things, far enough into nature that it doesn't feel like you've barely left the site.