Bathbank Plantation

The woodland walk at Bathbank Plantation isn't glamorous, but it delivers what you're after if you want to stretch your legs without faffing about. Tucked away near Lochwinnoch in Renfrewshire, this forest offers proper forest paths through decent stands of conifers and native trees - the kind of place where you can actually lose the sound of traffic within five minutes.

It's best suited to families with kids old enough to manage uneven ground, and to walkers who just want a straightforward two to three hour ramble without navigating a map. The paths are manageable rather than dramatic, and the woodland canopy keeps things cool even on warmer days. You won't find sweeping vistas or Instagram-worthy moments here - it's about the simple pleasure of being among trees. Bird spotters should bring binoculars; the place is decent for woodland species.

What works well is its proximity to The Pods at Auchenhean, just down the road. If you're staying there and fancy a break from the holiday park facilities, this gives you somewhere to walk off lunch without spending half a day on it. Combine it with a visit to Lochwinnoch itself if you want a gentler day out.

There's no charge to access the plantation, and you can turn up whenever suits you. Parking is basic but adequate. Wet weather is manageable if you don't mind boggy bits underfoot. Worth an afternoon, but not a destination in itself.