Reydon Wood

A short walk from Southwold takes you into Reydon Wood, a proper slice of Suffolk woodland that feels a world away from the seafront bustle. The trees here are dense and mature - oak and beech mostly - and the paths wind through in a way that makes you lose track of time without trying. It's free to roam, which is the best kind of local treasure.

You'll find yourself on well-trodden trails that fork and loop through the wood. Nothing dramatic happens here - no viewpoint, no ancient ruins, no cafe at the end - but that's rather the point. Families with young kids will get a good hour out of it, longer if you're the type who stops to identify birds or scramble over fallen logs. Walkers heading from Southwold inland will pass straight through without fanfare. History buffs won't find much to latch onto, but anyone after a proper woodland walk with native trees and the odd clearing gets their money's worth.

The best time is autumn when the canopy turns gold, though spring when everything's growing back is lovely too. Summer can feel enclosed and damp in places. Allow forty minutes to an hour if you're just cutting through, twice that if you're exploring properly.

If you're camping nearby - Pigs in Blankets is just 1.8 miles away - this is exactly the sort of morning stroll that justifies a coastal camping trip. It won't blow your mind, but it'll give you proper woodland air and the kind of quiet you don't get in towns.