Wistow Maze

You'll find this maze tucked away in Wistow, just a few miles south of Leicester - it's the sort of place that rewards a bit of poking around rather than a planned pilgrimage. The maze itself is a proper full-size affair cut into a field, the kind where you genuinely can get lost for a solid twenty minutes if you're not paying attention. On a clear day you can see the layout from above, but down at ground level it's all towering hedges and dead ends, which is exactly the point.

Families with kids aged six and up will get real value from it - there's something about a physical maze that keeps them entertained longer than you'd expect, and the competitive element keeps siblings engaged rather than bored. Adults often find themselves more absorbed than they'd admit. Allow an hour if you're leisurely, forty minutes if you know what you're doing.

It's free to access, which is a bonus, though facilities are minimal so don't expect a café or gift shop. The best time is late spring through early autumn when the hedges are thick enough to actually create a proper challenge - winter visits are a bit damp and pointless.

If you're camped at Green Acres or Valley View Escapes - both excellent five-star parks within three miles - Wistow makes for a cracking half-day activity. Pair it with a walk around Leicester city centre and you've got a solid afternoon sorted. It's not groundbreaking stuff, but it does exactly what it says on the tin.