Presley's Plantation

Walk into Presley's Plantation and you're surrounded by dense woodland that feels properly remote, even though Mansfield is just a few miles away. This is genuine forest - the kind where you actually lose sight of the car park within minutes. The trees are thick enough to block out most of the sky, and there's a real sense of getting away from things, which is exactly what you want from a woodland walk in Nottinghamshire.

It's the sort of place that rewards a slow meander rather than a rushed circuit. Dog walkers love it, and families with older kids will find enough space to let them run without constantly fretting about traffic. Younger children might tire of it quicker - there's no playground or café to break things up, just trees and paths. Allow two hours if you want to properly explore without rushing.

The plantation sits within striking distance of some excellent park holidays. Center Parcs Sherwood Forest and Clumber Park are both nearby, and combining a day here with a stay at one of those gives you proper woodland immersion without feeling too contrived. Sherwood Castle Holiday Forest is even closer if you're after a self-catering base.

Timing-wise, spring and autumn are best - summer can feel a bit muggy and claustrophobic under the canopy, while winter reveals more of the structure of the woodland. Worth checking locally for current access details and car park facilities before you go, as information online is thin on the ground.