Salter Wood

The trees here are proper dense, and that's exactly what makes Salter Wood worth the trek from Penrith. It's a proper forest walk rather than a manicured park outing - the kind of place where you'll actually feel like you're in woodland rather than on a tarmac loop. The canopy does its job filtering out the noise, so you get actual quiet for once.

Walkers will get the most from this. The paths wind through old growth and you can lose a couple of hours without trying, which is ideal if you're based at Crossfells Campsite or Howdy Glamping nearby - both are five-star spots and perfect for a proper break. Bring proper boots though; after rain it's boggy in patches and the roots catch you out if you're not watching your feet.

Kids will manage an hour, maybe ninety minutes if they're the exploring type. It's not dramatic enough to hold their attention longer unless they're genuinely into wildlife spotting. There's no facilities that I could find, so pack water and snacks. Free to access, though the car park situation isn't brilliant so go early on weekends.

Best done in autumn when the light filters through properly, or spring when things are starting again. Summer can feel a bit oppressive under all that green. It's the sort of walk that works perfectly as a half-day thing before or after time at Lowther Holiday Park if you're combining parks across the area.