Park Wood

Walk into Park Wood near Northampton and you're straightaway in proper woodland - the kind with a real canopy overhead and decent paths underfoot. It's a working forest rather than some manicured country park, so expect mature trees, the occasional felled log blocking your way, and the sort of quiet that actually feels like quiet.

The main draw here is a solid woodland walk without the tourist machinery. There are a few different routes depending on how long you fancy being out, and it's the sort of place where you notice things - bird life if you're patient, and in spring the ground cover comes alive. Dog walkers love it, and families with kids old enough to entertain themselves on a forest trail will get a decent couple of hours out of it. Younger children might find it a bit samey after the first half-hour.

It works brilliantly as a morning walk if you're staying at nearby Grendon Lakes, which is only 4.4 miles away - you could easily combine a forest wander with time at the lake facilities. Park Wood doesn't charge admission, and there's no booking needed, which means you can rock up whenever. The nearest facilities are in Northampton itself, so bring water if you're planning a longer exploration.

Don't expect marked viewpoints or benches everywhere. This is walking, not sightseeing. If you're after a proper break from screens and a decent stretch of the legs, it delivers. If you need something with more wow factor, you might find it a touch underwhelming.