Walton Park

The woodland walks at Walton Park near Castle Douglas give you proper forest immersion without the drama of heading further north into the Highlands. It's a genuine local spot - the kind of place where you'll see dog walkers and families feeding ducks rather than coach parties. The paths wind through mature trees with decent clearings that break up the canopy, and there's enough variety to keep you interested for a couple of hours without it feeling exhausting.

The forest floor is soft underfoot, which is lovely if you've got young kids or anyone who finds gravel paths tedious. There are benches dotted about - real ones, not the perished plastic sort - and decent sightlines to the water in places. It's the sort of walk that works equally well for a quick leg-stretch or a proper ramble, depending on your mood and energy levels.

Historically minded visitors will appreciate that you're walking through genuine Lowland woodland rather than the plantation forestry you get elsewhere. For families camped at Brandedleys just down the road, it's a no-brainer addition to the itinerary - close enough for an afternoon outing, far enough to feel like you've properly escaped.

Free access, as far as we can tell, though do check locally before you go. Allow two to three hours if you're taking it easy, less if you're just after a constitutional walk. Spring and autumn are best - summer gets muggy under the trees, and winter can be boggy on the lower paths.