Cairngreen Wood

A proper woodland walk just a few miles from St Andrews, Cairngreen Wood offers the kind of forest experience that feels worlds away from the busy streets of town. The paths wind through mature trees - mostly mixed woodland with good overhead cover - and the whole thing takes between 45 minutes and two hours depending on how leisurely you fancy being.

It's the sort of place where families with reasonably mobile kids will have a decent time, though there's nothing fancy here. No visitor centre, no interpretation boards, just you, the trees, and whatever wildlife decides to show itself on the day you visit. In autumn the colour is decent; in winter it can feel a bit bleak. Spring and early summer are probably when it's most worth your time.

The nearest caravan parks - The Rings is closest at just over three miles away, with Craigtoun Meadows and Woodland Gardens both within easy striking distance - make this a solid addition to a week based around the holiday park circuit in Fife. If you're staying anywhere from St Andrews southwards towards the A914, Cairngreen slots in nicely as a morning or afternoon break from campsite life. It won't blow your mind, but it's free and it fills an hour or two without fuss. Bring decent boots if the ground's wet - it can get properly boggy in places.