Willie's wood

Walking into Willie's Wood feels like stepping into someone's private woodland - which, in a way, you are. This small forest near St Andrews isn't what you'd call a major attraction, but it's exactly the sort of place that makes a caravan holiday properly worthwhile. The paths wind through mixed woodland with decent tree cover, and it's genuinely quiet. No crowds, no car park theatre.

The wood itself isn't vast - you're looking at maybe 30 to 45 minutes if you potter about - so it works best as a leg-stretch rather than an all-day destination. The ground can be muddy after rain, which is worth knowing. Kids will enjoy it for a bit; teenagers will be bored within the hour. If you're based at Clayton Caravan Park or Craigtoun Meadows Holiday Park, it's close enough to slot in between bigger days out.

The real appeal is that it's free, unremarkable in the best sense, and genuinely local. You won't find tour groups or visitor facilities - just trees, paths, and the kind of peace that makes you understand why people move to Scotland. St Andrews itself is only a few miles away if you want proper attractions afterwards. Willie's Wood works as a breather from busier spots, not as a destination in its own right. Worth the detour if you're nearby, not worth driving specifically for.