Blackmeadow Spinney

Dense woodland carpets the ground here with that proper earthy smell of decomposing leaves and damp bark. Blackmeadow Spinney isn't marked on most tourist maps, which is precisely why it's worth seeking out just outside Warwick. The paths wind through mature oak and ash trees, with enough fallen logs to keep children entertained while adults appreciate the genuine quiet you get in proper English woodland.

Dog walkers will love the freedom here - it feels wild enough to let well-behaved dogs off the lead without worrying about traffic or crowds. The spinney connects to longer footpath networks if you fancy extending your walk, though an hour's gentle ramble suits most families perfectly well.

Coming from any of the nearby parks like Newlands or Twitey's Camping, it's an easy drive that gives you a break from the usual castle-and-theme-park routine around Warwick. No facilities means bringing your own water, and the paths can get muddy after rain - proper walking boots recommended. Best visited on crisp autumn mornings when the light filters through the canopy just so, though it's lovely year-round for anyone who appreciates woodland for what it is rather than what's been built on top of it.