Carr Plantation

The woodland here is thick and surprisingly atmospheric for Norfolk - proper old-growth forest with the kind of dense canopy that makes you feel properly tucked away from the world. Carr Plantation sits east of Fakenham, and it's the sort of place where you can wander for an hour or two without bumping into anyone, which is becoming rarer in the East of England.

What you get is straightforward: woodland walks through mixed forest, plenty of shade, and the chance to spot the odd bit of wildlife if you're patient enough. The paths are reasonably well-trodden but not manicured, so bring decent boots if it's been wet. There's no visitor centre or facilities that I'm aware of, so plan accordingly - it's a nature spot, not an attraction with tea and cake.

This works best for walkers and anyone after a proper bit of quiet. Kids will either love the freedom to explore or find thirty minutes enough - depends entirely on the child, really. It's free to access and worth earmarking as a half-day addition to a park holiday based at somewhere like Breckland Meadows, just six miles away. On a sunny morning in spring or early autumn, when the light filters through properly, it's genuinely lovely. Don't expect it to be a full day's outing, but as a break from the caravan between beach trips or local attractions, it does the job well.