Sand Hole Spinney

A proper woodland walk rather than a destination in itself, Sand Hole Spinney sits quietly a mile or so outside Atherstone and delivers exactly what you'd want from a small Leicestershire forest - shade, birdsong, and enough paths to lose the crowds without actually getting lost. It's the kind of place you stumble upon rather than plan a trip around, though if you're staying at one of the caravan parks nearby - Atherstone Stables is closest at a mile and a half away - it's worth an hour of your time.

The spinney isn't vast. You'll walk the main loop in under ninety minutes, even if you dawdle, which is precisely the point. Families with younger children won't get bored after fifteen minutes, walkers will find it peaceful without being challenging, and anyone after a proper nature fix will spot woodpeckers and see the forest floor properly - not the manicured version you get in bigger country estates.

There's free access as far as I can tell, no visitor centre or facilities to speak of, just paths and trees. Go on a weekday morning if you can. Weekends pull in families from Atherstone itself, which turns it from quiet to merely pleasant. The woodland's at its best in spring when the bluebells show, though honestly any time between March and October works fine. Lime Tree Caravan Park sits two and a half miles away if you're after a base with better amenities - it's well-rated - but the spinney itself is low-key and that's its charm.