Sherwood Heath Local Nature Reserve

This stretch of open heathland east of Newark is one of those places that creeps up on you. You're driving through fairly ordinary farmland and suddenly there's space - proper rolling heath with gorse and heather, the kind of landscape you half expect to find in Scotland rather than Nottinghamshire.

What you get here is essentially a walk through restored habitat. The reserve has been brought back from agricultural use, and it shows - the ground's uneven, dotted with low vegetation, and there's actual birdsong rather than just the hum of the A1. On a clear day the views stretch for miles. It's not dramatic, but it's genuinely peaceful, which counts for something.

This suits walkers far more than casual visitors. If you're after a twenty-minute stroll, fine, but the reserve reveals itself to people willing to spend an hour properly exploring it. Birdwatchers do well here - you might spot skylarks, adders if you're lucky, and in the right season the heath comes alive with wildflowers. Children get restless unless they're the type who like hunting for insects and identifying plants.

It's free to visit, which is the main draw. Combine it with The Sherwood Hideaway park just down the road if you're staying in the area - gives you a reason to get outside without spending extra. The nearest proper facilities are in Newark itself, about three miles away. Best visited in late spring or early summer when the vegetation's genuinely interesting. Winter's bleak and February feels more bleak than most.