Bog Rough

Bog Rough is a proper forest walk just outside Northwich, the sort of place where you can disappear for an afternoon without needing a sat nav or a hiking guide. It's ancient woodland - oak and beech mostly - with a network of paths that wind through dense cover and open into little clearings where the light actually gets through. The ground underfoot is boggy when wet (hence the name, I suppose) and can be glutinous after rain, so decent boots are essential.

This works best for walkers who like a bit of solitude rather than families expecting playgrounds and facilities. There's nothing there but trees and paths, which is either brilliant or tedious depending on your mood. Allow two to three hours if you're exploring properly without rushing. The paths aren't waymarked brilliantly, so take a map or go on a day when you can see where you're going.

It's completely free and open whenever - that's the beauty of it. No gates, no admission, just walk in. The forest changes with the seasons, obviously, but autumn is particularly good when the canopy turns and the leaf litter smells like it should. Spring can be damp and overgrown.

If you're camping nearby at Belmont Hall or staying at the glamping at Lady Heyes, Bog Rough makes a solid morning or evening walk to get your steps in without feeling like a tourist attraction. It's local woodland, not spectacular views, but it's exactly what it says on the tin.