Toll Bar Plantation

Dense woodland stretches across this corner of the Isle of Wight, offering proper walking territory just outside Newport. Toll Bar Plantation gives you the chance to lose yourself among mature trees without the crowds that descend on the island's better-known spots.

Well-maintained paths wind through mixed woodland where you'll spot everything from oak and beech to the occasional pine. The going is fairly gentle, making it decent for families with older children who don't mind a proper walk. Dog walkers love it here - plenty of space for four-legged friends to have a good sniff about.

Expect to spend a couple of hours if you're doing the full circuit, though you could easily turn it into a shorter stroll. The plantation connects to other footpaths, so keen walkers can extend their route towards the surrounding countryside. It's particularly lovely in autumn when the leaves turn, though any time of year works if you fancy some fresh air.

This isn't somewhere you'd make a special trip for, but if you're staying at one of the nearby holiday parks like Tapnell Farm or Tom's Eco Lodge, it makes a cracking spot for an afternoon walk. The sort of place that's properly relaxing after a busy day at the beach - no entrance fees, no queues, just you and the trees.