Wood of Newton

The Wood of Newton is a proper working forest that feels genuinely remote despite sitting just outside Stonehaven. You're walking through Douglas fir and spruce - commercial woodland, not some manicured nature reserve - and there's something honest about that. The paths are well-maintained enough but this isn't about Instagram moments; it's about the sound of your boots on forest floor and the smell of pine resin after rain.

Walkers will get the most from it. The forest has decent trails that loop through, ranging from gentle strolls to proper woodland walks. Allow an hour to ninety minutes if you want to actually breathe it in rather than rush through. Kids under seven might find it a bit samey after thirty minutes - there's no waterfall reveal or open vista payoff, just trees and more trees. But older children who like adventure and exploring will enjoy it.

Bring proper footwear. The paths get boggy, especially in winter, and the canopy keeps things damp even when it hasn't rained for days. Spring and autumn are probably the best bet - less mud than winter, less midges than summer.

It's a cracking spot if you're based at any of the nearby caravan parks. Upper Crawton is less than a mile away, so the Wood makes an easy morning walk before heading into Stonehaven proper for lunch. Combine it with a coastal walk down to the town's cliffs and you've got a solid half-day sorted. The other parks - Cloak and the Queen Elizabeth site - are also within spitting distance, making this a natural warm-up before hitting the bigger attractions in the area.