RUDKIN GROVE (Woodland)

A walk through Rudkin Grove feels like stepping into someone's private woodland - the kind of place you stumble upon and immediately wonder why it isn't rammed with people. Just outside Oakham, this stretch of ancient woodland offers proper peace if you're after a break from the caravan parks dotting Leicestershire.

The grove itself is manageable on foot - nothing strenuous, just good paths threading through mature trees. Spring brings bluebells that genuinely stop you mid-stride. Autumn's equally strong, with that particular kind of leaf-mould smell that clings to everything. It's the sort of place where an hour disappears without you noticing, though two would give you space to actually breathe.

Honestly? It works best for quiet types and woodland walkers rather than families after entertainment. Children won't struggle, but there's no playground or clear focal point - just trees and undergrowth and the occasional bird call. That's either precisely what you want or it's not.

If you're camping at Emily's Cut - five miles away and solid reviews suggest it's worth the book - Rudkin Grove makes a cracking morning walk before heading back for lunch. Parking details aren't listed online, so ringing Oakham's tourist information beforehand would save a wasted trip. Admission should be free, as is standard for public woodlands, but worth confirming. Go early in the week if you can. Weekends pull in the dog walkers.