Wythop Woods

Wythop Woods sits just outside Keswick, a proper slice of Lake District forest that doesn't get mobbed like some of the honey-pot attractions nearby. It's a working woodland with proper trails through the trees - Douglas firs mainly, with plenty of conifers giving it that deep, quiet feel even when the weather's rough.

Walking through here you get that lovely cathedral effect from the tall trees, and on clear days you catch glimpses toward the fells. The paths are well-maintained and muddy in places, which honestly adds to it rather than detracts. Most people can handle the main routes in under an hour, though you could easily spend twice that if you're the type to stop and look about.

It's ideal for walkers wanting something less touristy than the famous peaks, and families won't struggle with the easier sections - though it's not a pushchair job. History types might appreciate that it's been managed woodland for centuries, though don't expect visitor boards spelling everything out for you.

If you're staying at Castlerigg Hall, less than six miles away, this makes a brilliant morning or afternoon break from the caravan. The woodland feels genuinely separate from the busy Keswick scene, despite being close enough that you're not spending half your day driving. Rain doesn't ruin it the way fell walks can - the trees sort of buffer the weather, which is handy in Cumbria.