Three Corner Wood

Three Corner Wood sits just east of Stevenage, a proper slice of Hertfordshire woodland that doesn't shout about itself. It's the kind of place you walk into expecting nothing much and come out having had a solid hour among the trees. The wood is dense enough to feel like you've actually left town behind, with decent paths threading through and the usual suspects - oak, beech, the lot.

This is walkers' territory, really. If you're after a straightforward woodland ramble that won't eat up half your day, it fits the bill. Families with older kids will manage fine; younger ones might get restless on a dull day since there's no playground or obvious "attractions" within the wood itself. History buffs won't find much to grab onto here - it's simply trees and paths.

Being free and unrestricted, you can show up whenever suits you. Muddy in winter, proper lovely in spring when the bluebells are out. Allow 45 minutes to an hour if you're doing a proper loop, less if you're just having a quick constitutional.

If you're staying at Church Farm in nearby Ardeley, it's an easy detour on your way between sites. Don't expect anything fancy or manicured - it's genuine woodland, which is precisely the point. Worth the visit if you're in the area and need to stretch your legs, but not worth a special trip from further afield.