Rendlesham Forest

Suffolk's Rendlesham Forest sprawls across 3,800 acres of Forestry Commission land just east of Woodbridge, and it's the sort of place where you can lose an afternoon without trying. Mostly Scots pines and conifers, with some deciduous woodland mixed in, it feels genuinely wild - which is saying something for a managed forest in East England.

The trails are the draw. There's a network of walking and cycling routes ranging from gentle loops around the perimeter to proper woodland rambles that'll work up an appetite. The Rendlesham Forest Circular Walk takes you through the heart of it and past some decent viewpoints. Mountain bikers have their own tracks too, which means walkers need to stay alert and keep to marked paths. Families with younger kids will do fine on the shorter, flatter sections near the car park, though there's not much drama - no dramatic vistas or ruins, just trees and forest floor.

Come in late spring or early autumn when the light filters through the canopy properly and the place isn't rammed with summer holiday crowds. Winter's quiet but can feel a bit bleak and muddy. It's free to walk in, and you'll find basic facilities at the main car park.

If you're staying at one of the nearby sites - Wantisden Park is only two miles away, or any of the camping spots around Brick Kiln Farm and The Orchard Campsite a bit further out - this is a proper asset. It fills a half-day easily without needing to drive far. Decent for stretching legs between seaside trips to the coast.