Bar Hill Wood

Woodland walks don't come much more straightforward than Bar Hill Wood near Crewe. It's a proper forest - dense enough to feel genuinely removed from things, with decent-sized trees and enough paths to keep you occupied for an afternoon without needing a sat nav.

What you get is fairly typical of Cheshire's forested bits: walking routes that meander through the trees, some open space if you fancy a breather, and that particular smell of damp earth and decomposing leaves that makes you remember why you left the car park. The wood itself isn't vast - you can cover it thoroughly in two hours if you're not dawdling - but it's well-kept and feels less tramped over than some of the more famous spots in the region.

Families with kids aged six upward will get proper value here. The paths are manageable for little legs, there's enough variety to prevent complaints, and you might spot wildlife if you're lucky. The nearest town is Crewe, which isn't exactly thrilling, but if you're based at Tipsy Tree Glamping just up the road, it's a brilliant way to burn an hour or two before heading back for dinner.

Timing-wise, spring and early autumn are when the wood feels best - not waterlogged like winter, not sticky-hot like July. Go midweek if you can; weekends pull in dog walkers and joggers, which rather removes the peace factor.

It won't change your life, but it's exactly what a wood should be.