Townhead Wood

The woodland around Townhead comes as a proper surprise if you're basing yourself near Dumfries. It's the sort of place locals know about but visitors often miss - a decent stretch of mixed forest where you can actually walk without bumping into crowds or gift shops. The trees are substantial enough to make you feel properly away from it all, even though you're only a few miles from town.

What you're getting here is straightforward woodland walking. There are paths through the trees, some clearer than others, and if the weather's played ball, you can pick out views across the surrounding countryside. It's not dramatic terrain - this is the Lowlands, after all - but it does the job if you want to stretch your legs for an hour or so without faffing about with a map and compass.

Families with younger kids might find an hour is about right before someone starts asking when we're going back. Older walkers and anyone after a bit of peace will get more from it. There's no visitor centre, no facilities we could identify, and no obvious entrance fee - which means you're essentially finding your own way in, as locals have for years.

If you're staying at one of the caravan parks within five or six miles - Caerlaverock Castle Corner or Beeswing - Townhead makes a decent half-morning outing before heading off to bigger attractions. It's no replacement for a proper forest walk in the Galloway hills, but it's convenient and quiet.