Orton Wood

Orton Wood is a proper forest walk just outside Atherstone, the kind of place where you can actually hear yourself think. It's woodland in the truest sense - deciduous trees, decent paths that don't require hiking boots, and enough space that you won't feel hemmed in by other visitors even on weekends.

The forest floor shifts seasonally. Spring brings bluebells if you time it right; autumn turns everything copper and gold. Summer can be a bit muggy under the canopy, truth be told, but that's when the shade matters most. Winter reveals the structure of the wood - you see how it's laid out, the way paths wind through.

Walkers will get the most from this. It's not a destination hike, but rather a solid two to three hour amble depending on how many detours you take. Families with younger kids might find it a touch dull after the initial excitement wears off - there's no obvious focal point, no viewpoint or ruin to work towards. Teenagers into photography could spend a good afternoon here, especially after rain when the light filters through properly.

It sits well within a broader Leicestershire break. Bosworth Lakeside Lodges, about four miles away, offers a proper base for the area, and from there you've got both Orton Wood and The Dandelion Hideaway's luxury glamping option within easy reach if you're planning something grander.

Free to access, as most woodland is. Bring decent footwear - it can be boggy after wet weather. No specific facilities that we know of, so stock up in Atherstone first.