Swift Valley Country Park

The River Swift cuts through this Leicestershire stretch like it's got somewhere important to be, and Swift Valley Country Park follows its lead through some proper woodland that actually feels removed from the Rugby sprawl nearby. You get a decent walk here - nothing too taxing - with the river running alongside for company and enough tree cover that it doesn't feel like you're trudging through farmland when the Midlands sun gets going.

It's the kind of place that rewards a slow potter rather than a quick tick-box visit. Bring binoculars if you're into birds; the riverside habitat pulls in reasonable numbers, especially in spring. History buffs might find the valley's industrial past interesting - there's textile mill heritage dotted about if you know where to look. Kids will manage a couple of hours here before boredom sets in, though if they're the type to splash in water and turn over stones they could stretch that.

The walking trails are free, which is just how it should be. Allow two to three hours if you're doing the proper circuit and actually stopping to look at things rather than marching through. Winter and early spring work best when the paths aren't baked hard and the river's got a bit of flow to it.

If you're based at Meadow Field Luxury Glamping or Manor Farm just down the road, this makes a solid half-day addition to your itinerary without requiring a car journey. It slots nicely between a proper country park day and mucking about at your caravan site.