Thornythwaite Wood

A proper woodland walk rather than a tourist trap, Thornythwaite Wood sits just outside Windermere and gives you actual forest without the crowds you'd find at the more famous spots round the lakes. It's mixed woodland - conifers, deciduous trees, the lot - with trails that wind through without too much faffing about. You're looking at a solid hour or two depending on which path you take, and it's the kind of place where you actually feel like you've left civilisation behind, even though you're minutes from town.

The ground can be boggy after rain, which is typical Lake District, so decent boots are a must rather than optional. It works brilliantly for walkers wanting something low-key and families who need their kids to burn off energy away from the lake paths. History types won't find much to get excited about - it's just woodland doing what woodland does - but that's rather the point. No interpretive boards, no gift shops, just trees and peace.

It's free to wander in, which matters when you're staying at one of the caravan parks nearby like Hill of Oaks or Park Cliffe - both within a couple of miles. It pairs well with a lake day at Windermere itself, giving you variety without adding petrol costs. Go early morning if you can. The wood feels entirely different once the day-trippers have drifted off elsewhere.