Sand Wood

Sand Wood sits just outside Sandy in Cambridgeshire, a proper working forest that feels worlds away from the flat arable land surrounding it. You're walking through Scots pine and birch - the sort of ancient woodland that actually has proper depth and texture, not the managed country estate type. It's the kind of place where you can genuinely lose track of time among the trees.

The main draw here is straightforward: decent woodland walks with enough variation to keep things interesting. Paths wind through the forest floor where the light filters through in that specific way pine forests do. In spring, the bluebells come through quite nicely. Summer's when most people visit, though autumn's arguably better - fewer crowds and the light's just right.

Walkers will get the most from Sand Wood. It's not a destination for sitting down and having a picnic - this is proper tramping territory. You're looking at an hour to ninety minutes for a decent circuit depending on which paths you take. Kids might find it a bit samey after half an hour unless they're the type who enjoy spotting birds and insects.

Admission's free, which is refreshing. If you're staying at Cambridgeshire Lakes just a mile away, it's an obvious morning walk before breakfast. Even from St Neots Camping and Caravanning Club Site four miles north, it's worth the short drive. The forest is fairly accessible year-round, though it can get boggy in winter. Go on a weekday if you can - weekends pull a steady crowd.