Palaceyard Wood

You'll find yourself walking into proper woodland here - the kind with actual trees, not a token copse. Palaceyard Wood sits just outside St. Neots and delivers what you'd hope for: shade, birdsong, and enough space to lose the feeling of being crammed in. The paths are decent underfoot, mostly manageable even after rain, though it can get a bit boggy near the wetter spots.

This works well for families wanting a straightforward woodland walk without the pretence. Kids won't complain about the distance - you can do a decent ramble in under an hour or potter about for twice that if you're the lingering type. Dog walkers seem to treat it as their second living room, which tells you it's dog-friendly territory. History enthusiasts might get a kick out of the name - the 'palace yard' bit hints at grander times, though the wood itself is just wood now, doing what it does.

Free to access and no faffing about with opening hours. Best visited when it's not absolutely sodden, obviously. Spring and autumn are your sweet spot - wildflowers one season, decent light filtering through bare branches the other.

If you're staying at St. Neots Camping and Caravanning Club Site or Cambridgeshire Lakes, this makes an easy morning's work before heading elsewhere. It's not a destination in itself, but as part of a broader ramble round the area, it does the job properly.