St. John's Wood

Ancient woodland east of Stevenage, St. John's Wood is a proper walk through old England - the kind of place where you half expect to stumble upon a medieval hermitage or find yourself in a folk tale. The forest itself is mature and atmospheric, with decent pathways threading between established trees and plenty of shade even in summer. It's the sort of woodland that rewards a slow pace rather than a quick march.

Walkers will find it genuinely worthwhile. The paths are well-maintained enough for families with older children, though younger kids might struggle with the uneven ground in places. The woodland floor is rich with ferns and moss, and there's real character to it - this feels like somewhere with history, even if you can't quite pin down what happened here. Allow a couple of hours to do it properly without rushing.

It's not a dramatic destination. There are no viewpoints or facilities that I'm aware of, and no visitor centre to tell you what you're looking at. That's actually part of its appeal if you're the type who enjoys a quiet ramble away from car parks and ice cream vans. On a grey autumn day, it's particularly good.

For caravan holidays at nearby Jacks Hill or Baldock Park Homes, this works as a morning outing - close enough not to eat into your day, far enough that you feel you've gone somewhere. Bring a packed lunch and make it a proper forest walk. Not the sort of place that'll blow your mind, but a genuine piece of Hertfordshire woodland worth exploring.